Damp proof

Young mum Courtney Knapman and daughter Ella

4 More Image(s) In Gallery

A YOUNG mother is sleeping in her living room with her 7-month-old daughter to avoid relentless damp which has taken over her house.

Courtney Knapman (21), of Oldham Road, Springhead, retreated to her living room with her daughter Ella, to reduce the impact the mould will have on their health, and is pleading with First Choice Homes Oldham to do something.

She discovered the damp when she started decorating what would be Ella's bedroom in November. Since then it has spread through the house to her own bedroom and the kitchen.

Courtney, who is already starting to suffer ill health, now carries Ella's cot down the stairs each night for them to sleep together in the living room.

Twice surveyors from FCHO have come out to the house but put the damp down to condensation and told her to open her windows, Courtney said.

However, Courtney, who has wiped down the walls herself, says it is not just down to condensation as the damp returns, resulting in her paint and wallpaper starting to peel. She now feels FCHO do not care.

Furthermore, Councillor Steve Hewitt, who has grown increasingly concerned for Courtney's health, says that letters on the issue he has sent to FCHO have been dismissed.

He went on to say that when he asked for a second opinion it was found that extensive repairs need to be carried out to the gable end and plaster needs replacing.

Councillor Hewitt said: "Miss Knapman is starting to suffer ill health; as is her child living in a damp environment and even though her heating is on constantly which she can little afford, her home is still very cold.

"Her furniture is unusable as it has now got mould and after she paid for her living room to be decorated the wallpaper is still not dry 10 weeks after."

He said: "This young family's treatment is just not good enough in this day and age. The communication and urgency just hasn't been there."

Courtney, who feels like FCHO are unwilling to listen, said: "They just don't care. The damp has spread throughout the house. It is around my boiler and my kitchen. The moisture is coming into my bedroom.

"We are now having to sleep in the living room because I don't want Ella to breathe it in. I have to bring the cot down every night. It's not like I can change the room.

"I have wiped it down myself but because it is that wet it doesn't make a difference, it just keeps coming back."

Dave Woods, FCHO Homes and Investment Director. said:

"We take all cases of mould seriously and when it is necessary, as in this case, we have the affected property inspected.

"If the inspection suggests that the cause of the mould is condensation we offer relevant advice and support to our customers on how this can be best treated.

"We are continuing to work with our customer to carry out some repairs and improvements to the property and will continue to offer advice to help alleviate the problem."