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Amesbury man says mouldy house affects daughter's health | Amesbury man says mouldy house affects daughter's health |
(31 minutes later) | |
Phil White says housing associations are taking advantage of their customers | Phil White says housing associations are taking advantage of their customers |
A father living in a mouldy house says the problem is affecting his asthmatic daughter's health. | |
Phil White, of Amesbury in Wiltshire, lives with partner Lucy Tilley and daughter, five, who both have asthma. | |
After a two-year wait, they moved into the house in October but say they have had a daily battle with mould since. | After a two-year wait, they moved into the house in October but say they have had a daily battle with mould since. |
The couple complained to their housing association Stonewater, but say no action has been taken. Stonehouse has apologised for the problems. | The couple complained to their housing association Stonewater, but say no action has been taken. Stonehouse has apologised for the problems. |
The danger of living in mouldy housing was brought to national attention in November, when a coroner ruled two year old Awaab Ishak died from breathing difficulties brought on by exposure to mould in his Rochdale flat. | The danger of living in mouldy housing was brought to national attention in November, when a coroner ruled two year old Awaab Ishak died from breathing difficulties brought on by exposure to mould in his Rochdale flat. |
Stonewater said it was working to stop the mould from reappearing at Mr White's property. | Stonewater said it was working to stop the mould from reappearing at Mr White's property. |
Mould in the corner of a window was the first problem the family noticed | Mould in the corner of a window was the first problem the family noticed |
He said he has felt stressed and anxious because of concerns over his family's health. | He said he has felt stressed and anxious because of concerns over his family's health. |
"Serious action is needed before we have another two-year-old die from black mould," said Mr White. | "Serious action is needed before we have another two-year-old die from black mould," said Mr White. |
"[My daughter's] on two inhalers now for her asthma, whereas before we moved here she was nearly off her asthma medication." | "[My daughter's] on two inhalers now for her asthma, whereas before we moved here she was nearly off her asthma medication." |
"It's not a place you want to call home. When I come back from work, I dread coming here," said Mr White | "It's not a place you want to call home. When I come back from work, I dread coming here," said Mr White |
The couple say the mould is caused by a leak in the roof, a faulty boiler that at times has left them without heating and hot water, and damaged double glazing. | The couple say the mould is caused by a leak in the roof, a faulty boiler that at times has left them without heating and hot water, and damaged double glazing. |
They claim Stonewater said it could take months for a replacement part for their boiler to come from Europe, because of a backlog. | They claim Stonewater said it could take months for a replacement part for their boiler to come from Europe, because of a backlog. |
"I feel like I've failed my family. They shouldn't be living in accommodation like this," said Mr White. | "I feel like I've failed my family. They shouldn't be living in accommodation like this," said Mr White. |
"I'm working, I'm doing everything that I should be and to know my partner and our child are sat there in the cold and I'm not able to do anything about it, [it's] really difficult." | "I'm working, I'm doing everything that I should be and to know my partner and our child are sat there in the cold and I'm not able to do anything about it, [it's] really difficult." |
Mr White's partner Lucy Tilley also suffers from asthma | Mr White's partner Lucy Tilley also suffers from asthma |
Stonewater offered a hotel room as replacement accommodation, but Mr White turned it down as he said the room was too small and the hotel was located next to a motorway. | Stonewater offered a hotel room as replacement accommodation, but Mr White turned it down as he said the room was too small and the hotel was located next to a motorway. |
Ann Brookes, assistant director of operations, told the BBC they had provided the family with additional heaters and will cover the full cost of their use. | Ann Brookes, assistant director of operations, told the BBC they had provided the family with additional heaters and will cover the full cost of their use. |
Stonewater said they have visited the family five times since October and will continue to give them updates on their progress. | Stonewater said they have visited the family five times since October and will continue to give them updates on their progress. |
Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk |