Pregnant mum and young son suffered living in mouldy flat in Cirencester run by Bromford

For more than a year and a half, 25-year-old Christie Smith has been living in a two-bedroom flat covered in mould with a her young son. She is soon expecting a second son.

Christie moved into the flat in Leaholme Court, run by Bromford Group in August 2015 and said the problem had grown worse.

She claims that she now has to clean the house every day with bleach and she was told by doctors that the mould had likely affected the health of her young son, Harvey Smith.

Harvey, who is now on inhalers, ended up in hospital a few months ago due to a convulsion.

Christie is fearful that the dampness will also affect the health of her newborn baby boy, Freddie James.

She said: “Harvey has been really ill. As soon as the cold weather started, he’s had a cough and it never really went away. Doctors say it was probably because of the mould.

“The mould has affected my son’s health and it is going to affect the newborn a lot more.”

The said she has had to clean the mould off with bleach every day.

The 25-year-old pregnant mum said baby clothes and a new bed for her baby son have already been covered in mould.

She said: “It’s so damp in here. Everything is getting covered in mould. I am having to clean every day, there is always mould cropping up somewhere.

“These flats are not good enough to live in. It costs too much to put heating on all the time. I am living on my own.”

According to Christie, neighbours living in the same block have had the same problem but Bromford housing association “were not bothered” when she reported the problem to them.

She was told by a staff member that if she wanted to move, she would have to get in touch with Cotswold District Council.

Christie has been put on a low priority list to be rehoused by the district council. She commented: “It’s terrible because there are children involved.”

Charlie Winter-Taylor, Bromford’s head of localities, said: “We first became aware of issues surrounding damp and condensation within Ms Smith’s home in January.

“Given this was the first time these issues had been experienced at this property, we had an initial conversation with the customer about measures she could take to improve the situation such as heating and ventilating her home sufficiently.

“As is the case with any report of damp in our properties, we have arranged for our surveyor to assess the situation and raise any works that may be required as well as providing Ms Smith with any additional advice.

“We are committed to working closely with Ms Smith to find a resolution as soon as possible.”

Cotswold District Council’s housing team also commented: “The social housing landlord is responsible for structural problems in the property, including an initial review of the conditions which are creating mould.

“Working together, the landlord and the tenant should try to address and resolve the issue.

“Should there be a serious problem, the Council’s Environmental Health team would then investigate further and we would review the case.”