Severe damp and mould ‘making mum and son ill’ in St Helens home

After moving into a property on Francis Street in Sutton in 2018, Bethany Jones said that damp and mould have been a persistent problem.

Bethany said that mould has spread across several rooms in the property throughout her time there, with mushrooms reportedly growing inside the home at one point.

After reporting this to her private landlord and property management company, Bethany said that some measures were put in place to address this such as vents, extractor fans, and dehumidifiers.

However, in certain parts of the property, Bethany said that mould has grown to such an extent that it has made her and her eight-year-old child ill.

Bethany said the mould has been growing for years (Image: Bethany McGiveron)
Bethany, who is also a full-time carer for her mum, said: "Damp and mould has always been a problem, ever since I moved in.

"I have had help in certain rooms but the walls in the kitchen and bathroom, which is in an extension at the back of the house, are so bad. There has also been mould and condensation under my bedroom window.

"I've been trying to tackle the mould for months but the smell of the bleach makes me really dizzy and my boy has had a continuous cough for about three months.

"I haven't been able to wash him properly in that bathroom because of the mould. He has allergies and has been throwing up and I've had to take him to the GP and walk in centre because I'm so worried about him."

The issue has been predominantly in the bathroom and kitchen (Image: Bethany McGiveron)
Bethany said that while her landlord has visited the property and told her she is a "priority", as yet nothing has been done to completely solve the problem.

The landlord's property company, Kings Property Management based on North Road, said that it is aware of the damp and mould at the property and confirmed that repair works have been scheduled to resolve the issue.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We are dealing with issues related to the property and we do not want people living in a house with these issues.

"We have informed the tenant that works have been scheduled for the property and things are in hand."

Bethany said that the issue has been making her and her son ill (Image: Bethany Jones)
Following the growing damp and mould inside the Sutton home, Bethany has also applied for social housing through St Helens Council.

After initially being in Band C on the social housing ladder, Bethany said she was pushed up into Band B by the council following the reports of damp and mould.

Despite being pushed into the band classed as being in 'significant housing need', the mum-of-one said she has been informed that there are still dozens of people in front of her on the housing waiting list.

Mould growing under the bedroom window (Image: Bethany Jones)
Bethany added: "It just feels like nobody cares about this situation.

"My landlord has said I'm a priority but then I haven't heard from him since, and the council haven't spoken to me after they put me in Band B.

"It just feels like they're waiting until my lease runs out and it has been so exhausting worrying about this for months."

A St Helens Borough Council spokesperson said: “The council’s housing standards team respond to enquiries from tenants regarding the condition of their homes, including damp and mould issues. We investigate the issues raised, contacting landlords to ensure properties meet the minimum legal housing standards and take enforcement action as necessary.

“With regard to the property concerned, following receipt of the tenant’s complaint in January this year - the council has inspected the property and has contacted the landlord to notify them on the works required, while reminding them of their legal obligations to keep the property free from hazards.

“Our housing standards team are currently monitoring this situation and will take the necessary next steps if the damp and mould has not been addressed after a reasonable period of time.

“Private tenants or tenants of a home managed by a housing association should always contact their landlord or managing agent in the first instance to give them an opportunity to carry out remedial works, with council support then available via our contact centre by calling 01744 676789 or online by visiting www.sthelens.gov.uk/contactus.”