Tenant wants out of mould-ridden home

Nov 12 2009 by Debbie Hall, West Lothian Courier

A YOUNG woman who has endured living in a mould-ridden house for the past nine months says she has had enough.

The Courier reported in March that Debbie McKie’s walls were damp, coated with unsightly black mould and that her furniture was covered in white fur.

She says she had asked West Lothian Council to help – but claims all they have done is paint over the problem.

The 21 year old said that when she found mould in her cupboard and on her pots and pans, she was told by council workers to just wipe it off.

Debbie, who lives at Woodmuir Place in Breich, says she now wants a new home as she is sick of the “disgusting” mould that is covering her home.

She said her boyfriend had moved out because the mould was affecting his asthma, and he was still unable to return.

“I’m at my wits end with all this, nobody wants to visit me anymore because of the state of the house and I feel really isolated.

“The council was supposed to come and chip off all the mould and plaster over again but all they have done is paint over it and it’s just come back.

“When I speak to the council all they say is keep furniture and things away from the walls, but the house isn’t that big, so it’s impossible.

“My cupboards are covered in mould and I took out a frying pan the other day and it was too, but when I told the council the person I spoke to just told me to wipe it off.

“It’s absolutely disgusting and I’m so fed up that I don’t want to live here anymore.”

Debbie, who works as a cleaner, said she also can feel the damp in her lungs and believes it is affecting her health.

But a West Lothian Council spokesperson said their efforts to try and solve the problem had been hindered by Debbie.

“We have carried out extensive tests at this property and have concluded that the condensation has been caused by a lack of adequate ventilation and heating, which is the responsibility of the tenant,” he said.

“Unfortunately our efforts to help resolve this issue have been hampered by the tenant, who has cancelled a number of repair appointments and behaved in an abusive manner towards our staff.

“We are unable to help further until our workmen are allowed access to the property without interference.

“We hope to arrange a meeting with Miss McKie to try and find a solution to this issue.”