A housing association tenant says a hole in the wall left their flat 'freezing cold' through the winter - and mould growing on their bedding. Antonio Dillon, who lives in Brinnington, has criticised Stockport Homes for the issue, which they claim had an impact on their physical and mental health for eight months.
The Gardner Grange property became so damp, kitchen cupboards and cabinets turned to a paper-like 'mush', it is claimed. Antonio, who uses the pronouns they/them, says they were forced to throw away mould-ravaged furniture and clothes - including items belonging to their five-year-old daughter.
Stockport Homes - which manages more than 12,000 council and privately-let properties across the borough - said it has been working closely with Antonio to resolve the issues. The landlord added that, due to 'the complex nature of the issues faced', fixing the problems has taken longer than had been hoped.
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Bosses have apologised 'for the delay and for any distress caused'. Antonio, 30, said a hole in a wall, which appears to be the cause of damp and mould, left it impossible to get their home warm during the autumn and winter months, forcing heating bills through the roof.
"It has been freezing, it has been colder than outside if I'm being honest," Antonio said. "There have been points through the winter where I have not been able to put the heating on because I have not been able to afford it.
"I have struggled massively, not just with aches and pains, but my mental health and the stress it has put on me." At times, Antonio said they would suffer the cold so they could afford to have the heating on when their daughter stayed over.
Despite caring for her half the time, Antonio eventually became so concerned about the potential health risks it was agreed she would stay with her mum until the situation was resolved. "It has been a very stressful winter and I had only been in the property for a few weeks before the issues showed themselves," they added.
"I have struggled to get up and move about as much, as I have not been able to keep myself warm."
Antonio moved into the flat last June and said they reported damp and mould issues at the property almost immediately. Stockport Homes responded by putting damp and mould-proof paint on a bedroom wall a few days later, it is claimed.
Antonio said the landlord did not address the damp and mould in the kitchen and failed to carry out further investigations to establish the root cause of the issue. In August, Antonio reported a hole in an outer wall.
Antonio said Stockport Homes' solution to this was to fill the cavity with expanding foam and wire wool, which soon wore away. Damp and mould problems persisted and Antonio said they woke one morning to find mould had spread across their bed clothes overnight.
In April, Antonio complained to Stockport Homes about damp and mould again. An inspector was sent and, in their frustration, Antonio pulled away one of the kitchen units to show how mushy and paper-like they had become.
This revealed where the outside hole led to - the kitchen. Antonio reported the discovery to Stockport Homes. While satisfied with the work that has now been done, Antonio they believes could have been spared eight months of suffering.
John Bowker, executive director of operations at Stockport said tackling damp and mould remains a priority, adding: "All efforts are being made to identify where it exists, encourage reporting and address it at source, whilst supporting residents to prevent it from recurring.
"In this case, whilst addressing the repairs, we have carried out a mould wash and provided a dehumidifier to help alleviate moisture in the property and have offered to reimburse Mx Dillon for any financial loss incurred and to account for the time taken to resolve the issues.
"We are sorry for the distress caused to Mx Dillon and their family during this time and will continue to liaise with them to reach agreement now that all works are completed.”
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