A family living in a Broxtowe council flat "thick with mould" said they could have been living on the streets if they hadn't accepted the offer to move in there. Megan Yallop, 23, and her partner Adrian Newbold, 26, were first made homeless along with their two daughters last November.
Their landlord was selling their previous property and they were beginning to struggle with rental payments anyway. The family had been living in a range of temporary accommodation since then, most recently in a flat in Eastwood.
Broxtowe Borough Council then offered them a permanent flat in Watnall but after viewing it, the family initially said they wanted to reject it. Ms Yallop said: "We went round it and we just thought it was disgusting.
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"There was so much mould and that was a real worry because both my partner and my daughter suffer with asthma. But when we said we wanted to reject it, the council basically said if we turned down this offer then we'd be removed from our temporary accommodation and would be on the streets."
Broxtowe Borough Council said it did not comment on individual cases. But in regards to its policy on families refusing offers, the authority said: "In the case of homeless applicants, only one suitable offer of permanent accommodation will be made. Homeless applicants who refuse the offer of accommodation, will be placed in Band 3 in accordance with our allocations policy.
"This means that they can still bid for properties, but are unlikely to be rehoused quickly. If a homeless applicant refuses a suitable offer of accommodation, then the council's duty is ended and they would be asked to leave any temporary accommodation provided for their use."
Ms Yallop and Mr Newbold therefore moved into the property on Thursday (March 30) with their daughters Gracie-Leigh Newbold, 3, and Skylar Newbold, 1. But Ms Yallop said: "The council said we'd be able to clean the mould that was there and so they're not doing anything about the condition of it.
"When we first came in, it just wasn't fit to live in and the living room windows in particular are still absolutely thick with mould. The kitchen is also disgusting because the cupboards look as though someone has thrown a chip pan in there, they're covered in grease that we can't clean off.
"I am worried about the health risks as well, I thought I was going to have to take Gracie-Leigh to hospital the other night because of how bad her asthma was. We were actually better off in our previous temporary accommodation place, but we would be happy here if the council just came and made it more habitable where we are now."
Broxtowe Borough Council added: "The council takes all reports of damp and mould seriously. Prior to letting a property, an inspection takes place to address any issues of damp and mould. If a property has been empty and unheated for some time, small patches of mould can appear on cold surfaces and in places where there is little movement of air, such as in corners and near windows.
"This is due to condensation and can be easily cleaned away during the thorough clean which takes place before a new tenant moves in. This is not an indication of an issue with rising damp. If during a property inspection we find indications of a damp issue, such as tidemarks, damp stains, or flaking plaster on walls, then we will arrange for an external company to complete a full damp inspection."
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