'ABSOLUTELY FUMING'
I’m scared my baby will die in our mould-riddled flat – the ceiling is so full with damp I’m scared it’ll cave in
Find out how to get rid of mould below
A MUM is terrified her baby could die in their mould-riddled flat with the ceiling is so damp she fears it might cave in.
Angel Peet, 24, from Sheffield, was horrified when she discovered the flat she was set to move into was covered with mould and a shockingly damp ceiling - and now the mum fears for her baby's life.
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Angel, who’s been living in temporary accommodation provided by Roundabout Homeless Charity, has been through a tough time.
She and her younger sister were left homeless after their mum passed away two years ago.
For over a year, she’s been in limbo with her four-month-old baby boy and 17-year-old sister, hoping for a permanent place to call home.
When Sheffield City Council offered her a property in Middlewood at the end of July, Angel thought her prayers had been answered.
Damp and mould
But when she visited the house, she noticed a crack in the ceiling and asked if there was any mould or damp underneath.
The council officer reassured her that it was just a crack and that the ceiling was being replastered.
However, when Angel returned the next day to start decorating, she was horrified to find the ceiling covered in black mould and on the brink of collapse.
Angel told : "I reported it straight away.
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"I don’t understand how they thought the property was in a liveable condition, especially when I have a four-month-old baby with health problems, and me and my sister both suffer from asthma."
A surveyor was sent to the property but only suggested replacing the worst-affected portion of the ceiling.
Five tips for getting rid of mould
Angel, however, refused to accept a half-hearted fix and demanded the entire ceiling be replaced.
It was only after she threatened to take the issue to her local MP that the surveyor agreed to replace the whole ceiling, though she was told the earliest repair date would be September.
With her notice period at the temporary accommodation running out, Angel has no choice but to move into the mould-ridden house, fearing the impact it could have on her son’s health.
She said: "My little boy has kidney problems, and I don’t want the mould to affect him.
"I’m most worried after hearing about the two-year-old boy who died because of mould in his home a couple of years ago."
Angel isn’t alone in her concerns.
Following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, aged two, in 2020 due to exposure to mould, the government enacted 'Awaab's Law' to force social landlords to fix damp and mould within strict time limits.
But Angel feels like these regulations aren’t being enforced.
Angel added: "The council is supposed to have put all these new regulations in place, but I feel like they’re not even doing it.
Angel feels "back to square one" and the discovery of the mould has added even more stress to the already difficult moving process.
The mum said: "I thought this was going to be it for us, and we’d finally be able to have a family home and feel settled for once.
In response, Cllr Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, stated that Sheffield City Council is committed to providing the highest quality housing and that checks are carried out before tenants move in.
He said: "Unfortunately, some hidden mould and plaster damage was uncovered by the tenant when redecorating ahead of moving in. We have since carried out work to deal with that mould."
The council claims that work on Angel’s property will be undertaken as soon as possible but acknowledged that there is a backlog of repairs of this type.
For now, Angel can only hope that the situation doesn’t get worse while she and her family try to make a home in a house plagued by mould.
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Meanwhile, a mum-of-two was left heartbroken after her young daughter was left hospitalised by mould and damp in their council home.
Mould is a hazard for young children and can cause respiratory problems.
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How to get rid of mould.
THERE are many ways to treat mould in your home, but whichever method you use, you should always protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves and a mask that covers your mouth and nose.
Hydrogen Peroxide
- Pour three per cent strength hydrogen peroxide into a bottle and spray it on the affected area.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes, or until it stops bubbling.
- Using a cloth or soft brush, scrub the mould away.
- Wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth.
- Repeat if necessary.
White Vinegar
- Spray some vinegar on the surface and leave it for at least an hour.
- Scrub with a brush then wipe with a damp cloth.
- Leave to dry.
- Remember to NEVER MIX VINEGAR WITH BLEACH as it creates a toxic gas which can be deadly if inhaled.
Baking soda
- Dissolve baking soda in water, and spray it on the mould.
- Apply the mixture and scrub with a brush.
- Wipe away the excess with a clean, damp cloth then leave it to dry.
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