The mother says mould has even appeared on her daughter’s bed sheets.
Mould along the woman’s skirting boards(Image: Supplied)
A mother says her home is “riddled” with mould and she feels “fobbed off” by the local council. The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, moved into her flat in Aingers Lane, Cambridge, with her daughter in August 2023.
She claimed there have been problems with her flat since she moved in, including persistent mould. She said: “I’m a clean person. I was making my bed for my daughter one day and as I turned her pillow, there was a big circle that was all mouldy.
“Because it was a new build, I didn’t expect this to happen. The bed was also new – I hadn’t even finished paying it off. It was riddled with mould.”
The flats were previously owned by Laragh Homes, but the company went into liquidation. Cambridge City Council is responsible for the council flats at the development.
The council said when concerns are raised, they are assessed on a case-by-case basis. This is then managed through a combination of inspection, advice, and appropriate action, which is informed by professional advice.
Mould appeared on the woman’s daughter’s bed sheets(Image: Supplied)
The woman said: “There were a few things that were supposed to be done [by Laragh Homes], but they obviously didn’t get to them. So, in that sense, I understand why it took the council a bit of time, but this was quite early on.
When the mould appeared in her daughter’s room in May 2024, the woman contacted the council to request help. She was offered a mould wash.
However, this was only a “temporary fix”. The mother added: “I’ve had mould in my room. It’s on the whole of the skirting boards and just above them.
There has also been a leak in the bathroom(Image: Supplied)
“I don’t have a low bed [like my daughter] and that was riddled with mould. I’ve had to throw out so much stuff because of it.
“They did another mould wash but I’ve complained so many times because it’s not fixing it.” The woman has also had problems with leaks in her bathroom.
Since moving in, the woman has had a son, who is now nine months old. He has infantile spasms, a rare form of epilepsy. He is now weaned off his medication, but the mother fears mould within their home could affect his health.
“I’ve expressed this to the council, but they just keep painting over the mould which is doing nothing,” added the woman. “It’s stressful. Especially when my daughter has just started school and she only has 75% attendance.
“My kids are constantly ill. I literally burst out crying, I just can’t take it anymore.”
The mother said she feels “fobbed off” by Cambridge City Council, as nothing has been done to substantially and permanently improve her home. She added: “The council is doing nothing. They say all they can do is mould washes, then after the mould washes do some work.”
A city council spokesperson said: “While we cannot comment on the specific details of individual tenancies, we are aware of the concerns that have been raised and pre-agreed visits have been attempted by our contractors. A visit has been rescheduled in agreement with the tenant.
“Reports of damp and mould can be distressing for tenants, particularly for families with young children, and we take all such reports seriously. Damp and mould can arise from a range of factors and resolving it often requires ongoing assessment rather than a single intervention.
“We are working with the tenant to progress the next steps as quickly and effectively as possible. We will continue to prioritise safety and wellbeing and remain committed to managing damp and mould reports in accordance with our legal duties.”
