My council flat is so damp I’ve developed asthma along with my son – there’s black mould & plants growing through walls
A CONCERNED mum has claimed that her black mould infested council flat is so damp that she and her son have developed asthma.
Sonia Destouche, 48, says that she has reached breaking point after living in the damp one-bed flat in Walthamstow, London, since 2014.
The mum is desperate to move out of the property since discovering mould and an infestation of ants and other pests – as well as a plant growing through a wall.
In her time living there, Sonia also says that both she and her 7-year-old son have developed asthma thanks to the mould.
The 48-year-old says that the dangerous mould has grown throughout the council flat, leaving some parts of the walls completely black.
Sonia also claims to have witnessed ant infestations, which she believes are able to get in through cracks on the ground floor.
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And the mum even explained how she currently sleeps in the same bed as her son in the living room due to the bedroom being particularly badly affected.
To tackle the pest problems, Sonia said she has taken it upon herself to fill in cracks with filler DIY style.
The mum has also had to tape up multiple light switches and other points which could be used as possible entrance points.
On top of now suffering from asthma, Sonia also has multiple other health issues.
She told MyLondon.: “I don’t pay for [the property] now because they know I’ve got issues with my health, but they’re not checking on my health.
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“I haven’t got a spleen. I had a hip replacement. I’ve got arthritis on my hip, I’ve got a swollen foot, because I was in a coma for two weeks fighting for my life, I was in Whipps Cross Hospital in 2017.”
The number of issues affecting Sonia and her son over her eight-year stay mean she is more than ready to leave.
Sonia claims the property has been labelled as “unsuitable to live in” by a housing surveyor, who was recommended by Sonia’s lawyer.
However, the council are not planning to extensively fix the property as she wishes.
Describing the bedroom, which they are currently unable to use, she said: “They’re trying to say that the flat, there’s nothing wrong with it.
“And I’m trying to get out of here, because it’s too small for me and my son for a start, and then for my health as well.”
Sonia also revealed additional issues in the bedroom which include a plant growing through the wall, which has been taped up, as well as white mould on the floor.
She also claims that the room is filled with dead flies.
Above all, Sonia is concerned about the impact the living conditions are having on her young son.
She claims to have previously called a housing officer to fix issues, which she said was not followed up on.
Sonia added: “I asked the woman, if you can get the repair people to fill the cracks because of the ants, the lady gave me a reference number.
“No one turned up. I don’t like being here. My son hasn’t got anywhere to play and it’s not good for his age.”
Despite her ordeal, Sonia said that she had been supported by her kind neighbours, who have all been left shocked by the state of her home.
The distraught mum said that she is so “stressed out” that she “can’t sleep at night”.
Sonia said: “My neighbours come here, I’m crying. I’m stressed out. I can’t sleep at night, because I keep looking to see if there’s any ants coming.
“About two months ago I woke up from my bed. I opened the patio door and the whole carpet was full of ants, all over the floor there, and the kitchen.”
Some work is being scheduled to be done on the property later this month, but Sonia says it is not enough.
She claims to have been told there is “nothing wrong with the property” by a housing officer.
Sonia added: “All they’re going to do is just to clean the damp, paint it and that’s it.
“My son and I have to sleep here while they paint and clean up the damp.”
Cllr Ahsan Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration at Waltham Forest Borough Council, said: “We have been in contact with the resident to arrange a visit to the property to assess the problems this month.
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“We offer pest control services to all council tenants that can be quickly and easily booked through our website.”
Barking and Dagenham Borough Council have been contacted for comment.