A STAY-AT-HOME dad has called for urgent action after enduring ten years of freezing nights, rodent infestations and mouldy conditions.

Graham Clinch, aged 49, has lived in two Bromford-owned properties with his wife and four boys over the last decade and has described it as 'ten years of misery'.

The family moved into a four-bedroom house in the Beeches estate in Cirencester 11 months ago to escape the mice and mould in their previous Bromford property in Sapperton.

However, the Cirencester house has a leaky boiler, a faulty shower and blown double glazing in all of the windows.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Blown double glazing in all of the house's windows Blown double glazing in all of the house's windows (Image: Graham Clinch)

The family often go to sleep freezing in the winter due to the faulty heating system and broken windows which allow cold wind to seep into the house.

Mr Clinch has been pressurising the boiler daily to heat the house but is worried it could explode.

The bathroom walls are caked in mould, the timber window sills are rotten and many of the doors are hanging off their hinges.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Mould in the downstairs bathroomMould in the downstairs bathroom (Image: Camilla Foster)

There are also pieces of asbestos and glass scattered around the garden.

Mr Clinch said the house is a dangerous place to bring up children and is devastated that his family have never been able to live in a house which felt like home.

He said: "When we lived in Sapperton we had mice in our bed, mouldy walls and water leaking through the roof.

"When we moved to Cirencester we were promised a nice, secure home.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Glass and rubbish left in the garden from previous tenants Glass and rubbish left in the garden from previous tenants (Image: Graham Clinch)

"But it is a living hell - we all hate living here.

"It has been ten years of misery.

"My children have never lived in a house that has felt like home.

"The garden is dangerous for the young ones to play in.

"We are particularly worried that the boiler could explode.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Leaky boiler Leaky boiler (Image: Graham Clinch)

"It is disgraceful that Bromford allowed the house to be rented out in this condition."

Bromford's neighbourhood and community manager Cathy Michaels said: "We would like to extend our sincere apologies to Mr Clinch's family for the challenges they have faced with their home. 

"We are committed to ensuring that all our customers have homes that are not only safe and secure but also places they can truly be proud of.

"Unfortunately, the issues encountered by Mr Clinch fall short of the high standards we set for ourselves.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Broken doors Broken doors (Image: Camilla Foster)
 
"We have arranged for alternative accommodation for Mr Clinch and his family during the period of repairs.
 
"We are working to ensure that his family can return to their home as swiftly as possible."

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Mould in their previous Bromford house in Sapperton Mould in their previous Bromford house in Sapperton (Image: Graham Clinch)