A MOTHER is pleading to be moved out of a mouldy council flat as she fears it could kill her.
Juliette Mottram has lived in the Ventnor Villas, Hove, property with three teenage children since February 2
018.
Since then, she says, large patches of mould have grown across the flat.
The mother of five, who suffers from an immune condition, fears it is going to aggravate her illness.
Brighton and Hove City Council said she has repeatedly refused its staff access to the three-bedroom flat to fix the issues.
But Ms Mottram said this was “completely untrue”.
She is pleading to be moved out the house which she claims is “unfit for human habitation”.
She said: “Everything is damp, the floor is damp, the walls are damp.
“This property is like the scene of a murder crime – there is mould and damp everywhere and you can barely even breath.
“They are condemning us to death.”
Ms Mottram said four people are living in the property, two of who, both teenagers, have to share a room.
When The Argus visited the property there were large patches of mould across the flat.
The worst-affected areas were in the bathroom, near the sink and bath, and along the wall which borders the neighbour’s address.
Mould could also be seen on most of the flat’s walls and ceilings, a shaver socket and the front door.
There is scaffolding outside the property, which Ms Mottram said has been up since October.
She said: “The drains outside had been blocked for years so it stunk of sewage.
“Toilets from the other flats were draining outside and it made you want to vomit.
“Last year I had a chest infection and I was coughing up blood.
“My doctor wrote a report to the council to say that the property was having a detrimental affect on me.
“They are putting my life at risk and I now have mould-induced asthma.”
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “Ms Mottram was visited by council officers and her ward councillor in September 2018.
“Several works were identified to the exterior of the block and to her flat.
“The exterior works were completed, however Ms Mottram repeatedly refused access or did not respond to requests for access for the internal works to take place.
“Ms Mottram will be contacted again around allowing access for works to be conducted.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel