A disabled woman who relocated 20 miles to be closer to her family has shared her horror after finding out her new home was "riddled with damp".
Susan Davis moved into the bungalow in Burradon, North Tyneside, five months ago, but discovered the walls were damp and the windows leaked water every time it rained, Chronicle Live reports.
This led to mould growth in her home, and the 58-year-old, who has a learning disability said her asthma and COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) have worsened as a consequence.
Having moved into the North Tyneside Council home, her doctor wrote a letter to call for the repairs to be made, adding that the mould could cause "serious harm or threat to her life".
Ms Davis said: "I'm very wheezy all of the time and I struggle to breathe. I have had a few frightening times when I have dozed off and woke up choking, unable to catch my breath.
"I have suffered from asthma and COPD for years but I have never been as bad as when I moved into this bungalow.
"I am doing everything I can, I am heating and ventilating the bungalow, but I think the water is coming in from the outside and causing the damp and mould.
"I have spoken to the council many times, but they don't seem interested in helping me. The roof, window and walls all need looked at to see where this damp is coming from.
"All of this should have been resolved before the council let this bungalow and put my life at risk, according to my doctor at the hospital.
"When I woke up choking, I honestly thought I was going to die, but I've given up going to my GP now, because until the bungalow is sorted out, there doesn't see much point.
"A council workman has said the damp is caused by water getting into the property from outside, and they said a further inspection would be carried out later this month, then that changed to February, then April, then back to February again. I feel they are just not interested."
Peter Mennell, director of housing at North Tyneside Council, said: “Firstly, we would like to apologise to the tenant for the issues she has experienced.
"One of our main priorities as a council is ensuring that our tenants live in safe, secure properties and our repairs team always responds quickly and professionally when concerns are raised.
“We were in touch with the tenant as a matter of urgency once we were made aware of the situation and one of our surveyors visited the property.
"Our surveyor found a patch of black mould in the living room, and we arranged for a technician to attend and resolve the issue at the earliest opportunity. We have worked with the tenant to offer advice on how to prevent any further issues in the future.
“The roof repairs that were due to take place in February have been prioritised and scaffolding will be going up on Friday January 27, with repairs taking place next week.”
