Downstairs neighbour lay dead for weeks – but flat not cleared
TRAINEE NURSE SAYS MOULD SPREAD TO HER HOME
A woman says mould and smells from a flat in which a neighbour died is making her life hell.
Julia Pusey’s downstairs neighbour was found dead on December 18. It is believed he had been dead for four weeks before his body was discovered at his flat in Deighton.
And the flat has not been cleared since the tragedy, according to Ms Pusey.
She says mould from the downstairs flat has been spreading to her kitchen cupboard making it impossible to store pots and pans.
Ms Pusey, 29, is having to burn incense to mask the ‘foisty’ smell from downstairs.
She says she is constantly on the phone to Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH), which manages Kirklees Council’s social housing stock.
An Examiner reporter visited on Wednesday and observed mouldy windows, curtains and walls as well as flies in the downstairs flat on Crawthorne Crescent. Ms Pusey said: “It’s horrible. I’ve got mental health problems and they’re not exactly making it better for me.
“I’ve got asthma and a steroid
It’s horrible. I’ve got mental health problems and they’re not exactly making it
better for me
inhaler. I can’t understand why they are letting me live here.”
Ms Pusey, who is studying nursing, said: “I’m quite content with this place but if they can’t clear it out then they need to move me.”
Christine Gummerson, KNH director of neighbourhoods, said: “I am really sorry to hear about Ms Pusey’s ongoing issues with mould in her kitchen and her concerns about how we have responded.
“Sadly, the tenant living in the flat below Ms Pusey did pass away and we are going through the required legal process to formally repossess the property.
“In the meantime, we will be clearing and cleaning the property and will then deal with the mould problem in Ms Pusey’s flat.
“Ms Pusey is aware of this and we will be keeping in touch with her until this matter is fully resolved.”