A mum of two has hit out at her local council after a leak in the ceiling in her new-build flat went unrepaired, causing 'black and hairy' mould to appear in her home.
The mum, who asked not to be named, told sister site Aberdeen Live that the newly built social home in Aberdeen's Northfield has sprouted unwelcome growths in recent months following torrential rainfall. She moved into the flat with her two children aged 10 and 16 in June 2021, after leaving a previous home also riddled with mould.
She said the recent cold spells have left the walls covered in disgusting mould that she fears could make her children ill. Her attempts to have the council rectify the issues have, she claims, fallen on deaf ears.
The woman told Aberdeen Live: "For me, it is really dangerous. The mould is starting to get black and hairy on the ceilings.
"It's a new flat and last year it was nice but this year it is very wet and cold. The mould and damp is now in all our rooms.
"It is really unhealthy. You can smell the mould and the children are not happy because you can feel how wet all the rooms are and I'm worried for them.
"Before, we lived in a flat with mould. That's why I asked the council to change and they offered us this one."
She has accused Aberdeen City Council of failing to take action, adding that she doesn't believe the authority "cares" about the welfare of its tenants. The council has promised to send a repair worker to look at the issue next month, but the tenant added that the source of the leak had not been identified as yet.
She continued: "It seems like they are going to send someone to look at the problem and not to solve the problem and that it will take again another couple of weeks. They [the council] told me I have to wait.
"It is really hard to discuss with them about anything. It takes a long time, very many months and nothing changes. It seems like they don't care and I have to contact them again and again and again."
The health impacts of mould in social housing have been brought sharply into focus in recent weeks following an investigation by our sister paper the Manchester Evening News. The MEN uncovered evidence of failings that led to the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who developed respiratory issues following prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
Aberdeen Live has approached Aberdeen City Council for comment.
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