‘My health is worse and cherished possessions have been ruined...’ Life for Linda in damp council flat
A woman with lung disease who has lived with damp and mould in her council flat for months says treasured photographs are among personal belongings that have been ruined.
Linda Ballard’s Charnwood Borough Council flat in Sharpley Road, Loughborough, began to show signs of damp and mould in the middle of last year, with her family describing the smell as “unbearable”.
Although the council has sent workers to assess the problem, Linda says it has not been fixed.
The 60-year-old has recently been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition which her family fears will be made worse by the issue.
Linda said the damp had ruined “lots of my clothes, shoes, boots, towels, sheets, photos”, adding: “I had a makeover done when I was 40. They were beautiful photos, and they’re ruined.
“Pictures of my grandkids and daughters have been ruined, pictures of me when I was little. Sheets and towels you can replace. Photographs you can’t replace.”
The council has apologised to Linda for the delay in fixing the issue and says cleaning work on her flat will take place next week.
Linda’s daughter, Melissa Johnson, said they first reported the issue to the council in mid-2023 and were told a leaflet would be sent to them, but it didn’t arrive.
Melissa said: “On August 5, I visited my Mum’s flat and the smell was unbearable. Her sentimental items such as ornaments, photographs, along with the carpets and walls were all covered in damp, which seemed to be growing into mould.
“My mum is vulnerable and shouldn’t have been left this long. All of her items are completely ruined.”
After visits by council workers in September and October, Linda was told she would need a plumber to come and check the flat, along with extractor fans.
“Since then there has been nothing, no contact, no appointment,” Melissa said.
Samantha Johnson, Linda’s other daughter, said: “She’s living in those conditions and breathing that in all the time. She’s been given all these inhalers and her cough is absolutely horrendous.”
Melissa said: “She has COPD, which was diagnosed not long ago, which can be worsened by damp and mould. Along with all of this she now has an outbreak of wood lice. This is neglect, and I am absolutely disgusted.”
Linda and her daughters say she has been told she will not be compensated for any of her damaged belongings.
Charnwood Borough Council was asked if it could confirm this, but it did not address this in its response.
A spokesperson said: “We would like to assure tenants that we take issues with damp and mould very seriously and have in recent years increased resources to help ensure our tenants stay safe, healthy, warm and well in their homes.
“We have also issued advice and guidance to tenants on how to prevent damp and mould.
“In this case, we would like to apologise to Miss Ballard for a delay in the process and we are pleased to confirm that some further cleaning work will take place next week.
“Following reports of condensation in the property and the development of mould, inspections were carried out and some cleaning and repair work took place last year. Our records show an information leaflet was also issued.
“However, there was a delay in further work being carried out, partly due to a contract ending and difficulty in securing a new contractor. We are prioritising this work and will ensure the tenant’s concerns are fully addressed.
“We would again like to apologise for the delay and we will be working with the tenant to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”