A couple say that their mould-ridden home is making them ill and are battling to get their housing association to fix it.
Tracey Marson, and her husband Chris have lived in their two-bedroomed home in Navigator Close, Hilperton, for nine years.
She moved from Swindon in 2015 and says she's never experienced mould problems in previous properties.
But the couple claim to be battling with Trowbridge-based Selwood Housing Group to fix the mould problem at their home, which affects their lounge, bathroom and main bedroom.
Mrs Marson, whose husband, 50, works for grounds maintenance firm ideverde, says they have painted over the mould themselves but it keeps coming back.
Mrs Marson, 53, said: “I have been a Selwood tenant since 2015 and I have nothing but mould issues in my home. It is absolutely disgusting and disgraceful.
“I have had a chest infection and bronchitis for the past two weeks and this mould is not helping.
“I am having to wipe off condensation from around the windows every day and have to keep the air vents open.
“I have asthma and bronchitis and I suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as having a heart murmur.
“I also have insomnia, sciatica and chronic compartment syndrome, which causes blood clots in my legs.
“In my lounge and bedroom, myself and my husband have treated this so many times and it still keeps coming back.
“I am on benefits and it doesn't help when I don't get help from the housing. When I have reported it so many times it seems like any excuse after another.
“I would never recommend anyone else to Selwood, cause I feel like Selwood don't seem to do their job properly and leaving a tenant who has health conditions with this issue.”
She says they have been advised to keep their heating on and to open their windows to ventilate the affected rooms but says they can’t afford the high bills.
“I’m regularly spending £40-£50 a month extra on top of the £80 I pay for the electric and £50 for the gas. The amount we budget for is not lasting the month.”
Mrs Marson contacted Selwood Housing several times last week to complain but claims they hung up when she threatened to contact the Wiltshire Times.
She added: “Selwood has pressed my buttons now. Enough is enough. They are not willing to do something about it.”
A Selwood Housing spokesperson said: “Mrs Marson called us to report damp and mould that was present in her bedroom and living room in October 2023. Our surveyor attended in November and in early December, work was undertaken to replace an extractor fan in the kitchen.
“In January 2024 we attended the address to carry out further repairs, treating surfaces where mould was present.
“Unfortunately, the customer wasn’t at home, and following attempts to call her, contact couldn’t be made. Our contractor was then tasked with completing the repair works on our behalf.
“We will ensure that action is taken to fully resolve the damp and mould within Mrs Marson’s home, firstly re-booking a repairs appointment at the earliest opportunity.
“We will also open a formal complaint, on behalf of our customer, in light of Mrs Marson’s dissatisfaction with our service. This will ensure that our actions in this case are fully investigated.”
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