Mother 'terrified' by mould issue at council flat

A mother said she was "terrified" for her and her six-month-old baby's health because of mould in their housing association home.

Jade Pack moved into a flat in Northampton in April, but said she had now resorted to staying with family after struggling to resolve the issue.

The flat is managed by Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) on behalf of Conservative-controlled West Northamptonshire Council.

In a statement the firm said it took reports of damp and mould by tenants "seriously".

Ms Pack said she was "shocked" by the condition of the flat - which has mould in its lounge and bedroom - when she moved in when she was 30 weeks pregnant.

"The bedroom was unfit to sleep in," she said.

"I'm losing sleep. It's impacting me mentally, emotionally. I really loved this place, but now I'm terrified of it.

"It doesn't feel like home any more - it's just heartbreaking. It's not fair."

Ms Pack said that several contractors have visited the flat to assess the problem and carry out work, but they have not found a solution.

NPH said: "We have a dedicated in-house team who are responsible for tackling this issue. On occasion, where necessary, we bring in specialist skills via one of our contractors.

"Some repairs have already been carried out to deal with the main cause of damp and mould reported in relation to this particular case."

NPH said it was in "regular contact" with Ms Pack and it was awaiting instruction of a "convenient time" to attend the property and complete the work.

"We have advised the resident that NPH is not responsible for processing requests to move and provided them with the information to make a request, should they wish to apply," it added.

James Hill, a Conservative councillor for the Billing and Rectory Farm ward on the authority, said the issues at Ms Pack's flat were "systemic of the issues I've seen across my ward which has a lot of NPH housing".

He said: "I think NPH needs a wholesale review on how it's governed. We need a complete reorganisation."

Last month the Regulator of Social Housing identified serious failings within West Northamptonshire Council's housing operation.

West Northamptonshire Council has been approached for comment.

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