Serious mould problem forced me to sleep on the streets
KARWEN AHMED SAW HIS HEALTH DETERIORATE DUE TO THE DAMP
A MAN living in Hull claims he has been forced to sleep on the streets as the mould in his house is making him seriously ill.
Karwen Ahmed, 38, moved into his flat in Woodbine Close, central Hull, from Kurdistan just a year ago. Since then, Mr Ahmed’s health has deteriorated due to the damp inside the ground-floor flat. He said it was so bad, he has had no choice but to sleep at friends’ houses and even on Hull’s streets.
He said that on one occasion he was even rushed to hospital for a “serious” chest infection caused by the damp and mould in his kitchen. He said: “It is really, really bad. I moved in about a year ago, but it has got a lot worse since then.”
Mr Ahmed said he first reported the issue to the council around three to four weeks ago and was told it would be passed on to his housing advisor, although nothing has been done since.
He said: “They don’t help me and they don’t come and help. They were supposed to come two weeks ago, but they didn’t.
“I’ve been rushed to hospital in an ambulance because I had a really bad chest infection because of all the mould. It is all over the kitchen and bathroom and water is dripping through a whole in the ceiling near the lights which could be dangerous.”
Mr Ahmed said he has had to throw many of his own belongings out of the house as they have been damaged by the damp. He also told us how none of the electric items, plugs or light switches are working in his bathroom due to the continued damp.
He said: “Nothing in the bathroom works. It looks awful. I’ve got nowhere to sleep, I’ve been at my friends and sleeping on the streets. The council said the housing advisor will let me know what will happen but it has been a long while.
“I have two reference numbers from the council and first called them three or four weeks ago. The last time I spoke to someone was Friday morning.”
A spokeswoman for Hull City Council said an inspection would be taking place at the property soon. She said: “Mr Ahmed contacted us about damp in his home last week and an inspection is being arranged.”