A disabled woman complaining of worsening health problems which she blames on her damp and cold flat says she feels like “no one wants to help” improve her living conditions.

Mandy Croucher and her wife Donna have lived in a flat provided by Golding Homes in Willington Street, Maidstone, since December 2022.

Since living there, the pair have had problems with black mould and damp which they say has made them “very ill”, along with drafty windows. And now they’re worried after asbestos was found.

Landlord Golding Homes says it is already addressing the issues, with the windows at the property - which were fitted in 1996 - being renewed next year.

The organisation confirmed the broken floor tiles have already passed an asbestos safety check and a repair booked within weeks.

But the couple aren’t happy.

Mandy, who is 45 and registered disabled, suffers from chronic asthma and lung disease and believes the unsuitable home is contributing to her repeated trips to both her GP and A&E.

Although the mould and damp have been treated by Golding Homes, the married couple have lodged a complaint with the housing provider about the draughts and cold coming through the windows. They want them replaced.

Mandy, who has a condition called fibromyalgia which causes widespread pain and tiredness, says “it’s freezing” and that the cold isn’t helping her condition.

She said: “When it’s cold weather the heat won’t stay in because of the windows, and I am sitting here with blankets, dressing gown, even gloves on.

“I shouldn’t be sitting like that in my own home.”

Then on Monday, July 1, following an asbestos survey to check some broken tiles on their hallway floor, Donna received a call from Golding Homes confirming asbestos had been found in them.

Donna said: “Hearing that, you panic, and your brain starts going into overdrive.”

According to the housing charity Shelter, it is illegal to use asbestos in new buildings since 1999. Its presence is not illegal in buildings built before the bans were introduced.

However, due to its widespread use in the past, particularly in blocks of flats, it still may be found in homes, including in floor tiles. The danger arises when the asbestos is disturbed.

Golding Homes confirmed asbestos was found at the property but an asbestos survey report concluded that it was completely sealed, poses a low risk to the customer and it was recommended it only be removed prior to demolition or refurbishment.

Following this news, Donna and Mandy are even more desperate to be moved from the flat and have contacted their MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, Helen Whately.

Donna, who is Mandy’s full-time carer, said: “It just feels like no one wants to help us move so we’re trying to go down every route we can.

“The damp and mould made myself and my wife very ill.

“My wife had quite a few trips to A&E in Maidstone, and she is always getting chest infections and a lot of asthma flare-ups.

“I’ve put in so many complaints, but nothing gets done.

“It just feels like I’m banging my head against a brick wall.”

The residents have been told no one will be out to fix the broken tiles until July 30.

Mandy says since living at the property she has come out in an unknown rash and has been referred to a dermatologist. But she has also started having other new symptoms.

Mandy said: “We just feel sick all the time.

“I’m feeling nauseous, I have chest pain, and these are symptoms I’ve only had since last year.

“I’m always in and out of the doctor’s with recurring lung disease, chest infections and always up the hospital.”

In a letter from Mandy’s doctor, dated May 2024 and seen by KentOnline, it says: “Recurrent exacerbations of lung disease could well be to do with mould at home, hospital admissions too.

“She would benefit from living in conditions that do not exacerbate lung disease.”

Meanwhile, an occupational therapist who visited the property in December 2023 and produced a needs report wrote: “Currently, they are struggling with a lot of mould in the property, which is affecting her health negatively.

“It is important the next home is mould-free.”

A medical letter from Mandy’s practice the same month said: “She has shown me pictures of where she is alleged to live.

“It seems to be mould, she feels her symptoms are related to this – I have told her that there could be no direct association, however living in such an environment is very unhealthy.”

Donna says she has raised nine complaints with Golding Homes and Mandy says she has lodged two.

Both are concerned because a neighbour’s property had previously been treated for asbestos and the couple saw teams wearing covered clothing treating the material.

Mandy said: “Seeing that made us think it was dangerous.”

Responding to the claims of cold living conditions due to old windows, Golding Homes said: “As part of our commitment to improve the energy efficiency and quality of our homes, we’re spending around £2.9m this year on a comprehensive programme to replace doors and windows.

“We’re making good progress and keeping our customers updated about what we’re doing and when.”

It also pointed out that the doors and windows at the property were fitted in 1996 and will be renewed next year within Golding Homes’ 30-year standard.

This is earlier than the government’s Decent Homes Standard which recommends replacement of doors and windows every 40 years.