Black mould crawling up the walls of a family home has made a seven-year-old girl ill, a mum has claimed. The pervasive mould is also said to have been found in the beds, causing mum Leanne Thompson 'sleepless nights'.
The mum-of-three, who lives in a Leeds council flat on Spring Close Walk, says her children have to all sleep together in one room. She says unfinished repairs in the bathroom dating back since 2013 have led to mould building up in the cramped area rendering the bathroom "unusable".
Leanne, who is a full-time carer to her disabled seven-year-old daughter, said doctors told her the condition of the property had a "significant impact" on her child, who also has complex needs. As reported by LeedsLive Leanne shared her deep concern for the mouldy flat that has impacted her family's health and 'split it up'.
Leanne said: "I cannot sleep or eat, worrying about my children's health. The mould is making life extremely difficult and has split up my family."
Leanne's 20-month-old daughter has been crawling around the floor of the flat and sleeping in a cot ridden with the mould, she said. The problem has left all of her children sharing one bed.
Her seven-year-old daughter has been given antibiotics by the doctor after falling ill. Thankfully Leanne's mum lives on the same street and was able to take in her baby girl and seven-year-old daughter.
Leanne and her nine-year-old son, who suffers with ADHD and autism, remain in the property. She explained: "My two daughters have had to go stay with their grandparents until I get some sort of alternative accommodation.
"My daughter is unable to be in the property with the effect it’s having on her health. My daughter has a very low immune system, very high cholesterol and is taking pravastatins [heart tablets] for the rest of her life to avoid a stroke or possible heart attack.
"At the minute it's a hazard due to the cramped space and damp and mould in the bedroom. I suffer with my mental health as it is and this is making life extremely difficult as it has split my family up until the problem is sorted."
Leanne, who moved into the property in 2013, explained unfinished repairs in the bathroom have led to the mould building up and cramped space leaving "no space for the walls to breathe." She claims she has repeatedly contacted the council since 2016 when the problem began.
Leanne also had a property surveyor, Tony, come to look at the property. She said: "Tony said that due to the severity of my overcrowding, that is the reason the moisture is getting trapped behind furniture and causing the black mould.
"But as two bedrooms are ridden in mould, I have nowhere to put furniture and have three children sharing the same bedroom which is obviously adding to the humidity making the black mould worse. Tony stated that it's a health and safety risk and poses a serious risk to my children's health."
Leanne added: "There is a foisty musty smell in the bathroom and main bedroom where the children stay. They tell me it is disgusting.
"My 20-month-old shuffles through the hall as she is still not mobile. My other daughter will not use the bathroom at all and now hates her showers, which she used to love.
"My son refuses to use the bathroom due to the tiles falling off. I've been lucky in the fact that their grandma lives in the same street so I can use her bathroom, but it's still not the point - I should have an accessible bathroom."
A Leeds City Council Spokesperson said: “The tenant contacted Leeds housing department in early January 2023 with a report of damp and mould in their home. Prior to this, the last report of damp and mould at the property was in 2016.
"Our Damp and Mould team have tried to contact the tenant to arrange an assessment of the property. Once the assessment has been carried out, we will ensure that any necessary works are completed in addition to sharing any practical advice that our team can give around damp and mould prevention.
“The tenant's housing needs have been assessed by the council and a priority award was made to reflect their urgent need to move due to overcrowding and the medical needs of the household. The tenant has requested a statutory review of this award which will be completed by an independent panel.
"The panel will write to the tenant notifying them of the outcome. Leeds Housing Options can also provide extensive advice and assistance in securing accommodation in the private sector and will contact the tenant to discuss whether this is an option they may consider in the interim.“
