Floods and mould drove me and my family out of house
COUNCIL ACTS OVER ‘ATROCIOUS’ HOME
A NOTTINGHAM father-of-two has spoken out about the “atrocious” condition of his council house – which has mould “going up the walls” after pipes burst.
Thomas Berridge, 37, moved into his house, owned by Nottingham City Council, about two years ago with his children, aged six and 11.
But since December 2022 he says the family has not been able to live in the house in The Meadows after it was flooded due to a burst pipe.
They moved out to Thomas’ parents as a result, as the water went through part of the heating system and allegedly blew it up, leaving them with no heating for 12 weeks.
Although this problem was then repaired by the city council, the family says a second pipe burst a month later, causing the ceiling to collapse and leading to mould “all over the house”.
Thomas says that the issues have caused him great distress, as well as health problems caused while he has lived at the property from time to time.
“This has all caused me severe mental health problems and also made me feel lonely, as when I’d go to the house I wasn’t able to have my children with me. It has a detrimental effect on my wellbeing and I have been ill multiple times due to the mould and damp.
“I’ve had to go to hospital with breathing problems and a fungal rash due to the mould.
“It’s wrong and immoral, what we’ve been through.
“When I moved in, I wouldn’t have put my dog in there, but I was backed into a corner and told that if I didn’t move in, I would have effectively declared myself homeless – I had no choice.”
Thomas says that, despite numerous complaints to the council, no one has come out to check the damp and mould in his home following the flooding.
He then decided to have someone from Rushcliffe Damp Proofing check the house. A report from the company concluded that the house was unfit to live in.
The father added that no dehumidifiers were provided by the council and that he phoned the authority 20-30 times regarding the issues to no avail.
He added that the black mould was “everywhere”, covering his furniture, cooker, fridge, freezer and washing machine.
Thomas’ father, Robin Berridge, said: “We’re fighting a losing battle. It’s absolutely atrocious. They can’t get out of it. There’s no way out of it.”
Speaking on Monday, a Notting ham City Council spokesperson said: “We have visited the property today to assess the situation.
“It appears that the tenant has been absent for some time, and we are now making plans to carry out remedial works so that, when he returns, the property has been brought back up to standard.
“Should temporary accommodation be required in the meantime by Mr Berridge, we will work with him to organise this.”