A tenant said she was left 'absolutely disgusted' to find mould and fungus growing in her New Islington apartment block.
Lyanne Moore has lived in her flat in Block E of Albion Works for just under a year. She said the problem with mould started in January.
The issue has persisted and has now started growing outside her flat door. She has shared photos of the fungus growing on the wall and reaching under the door.
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Lyanne said Residential Management Group (RMG), who are in charge of maintaining the building, were quick to sort the initial problem.
But she claims she has had no response about the latest growth. The problem has persisted after multiple leaks, she said. It is not the first time the Manchester Evening News has reported on the problem in Albion Works.
Back in February, resident Missy Koker told the Manchester Evening News the mould made her son ‘ill’. Photos sent by Missy showed a large mould problem on walls and in a storage unit. She said the problem left her feeling angry.
Lyanne, who pays a combined total of £1,100 a month to rent the flat with a friend, said she is angered by the issue. She has described the situation to the Manchester Evening News as 'absolutely disgusting.'
"I don't think anyone who lives in these blocks (should have to) see that, it's pretty nasty. It always leaks in (the area where fungus has grown) so I imagine it was bound to happen but it's just not natural and dangerous.
"You hear horror stories of those who get health problems for always being in close proximity to something like that so it needs to be gone."
Lyanne said there have been problems with RMG failing to turn up to fix the issue, she said.
"It should be a priority, people live in this area and they can get sick, I'm gonna clean it again as no one else will but if it happens again then I don't know."
RMG said the problems experienced at the block of flats are in relation to a historic leak. They say there are currently no damp patches in the communal area. The areas are inspected every day by their teams, they said.
The problems with mould in Albion Works are not unique in the private rental sector.
At the end of March, the Manchester Evening News reported that a staggering 79% of private tenants in the North West have experienced disrepair at home in the last year. They include 51% who have experienced damp and/or mould.
The news has followed calls for similar interventions to be made in the private rental sector after the House of Commons added Awaab's Law to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill following the tragic death of the toddler. Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour MP for Salford and Eccles, called for 'an equivalent Awaab's Law' for private tenants.
What the management company has to say
Addressing the issue at Albion Works, RMG said in a statement: 'We have now looked into this matter. We believe this is in relation to a historic leak and there are currently no damp patches in the communal areas.
"There was a leak in an apartment which was addressed via the insurers and the damp that stemmed from the leak was removed. The areas are inspected every day by our team and we would encourage the residents if any maintenance issues do arise to our 24/7 support team."
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