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Mould in homes of neighbours in Mountbatten Avenue in Chatham forces owners to throw out furniture

By: Ben Austin baustin@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:08, 31 January 2023

Updated: 09:09, 31 January 2023

Neighbours have had to throw away furniture after their houses became riddled with mould.

Mother and daughter June Fullager and Debrah Adams have lived in their home in Mountbatten Avenue in Chatham for two years and every year they have had to deal with the fungus.

Debrah Adams pictures with a mouldy window in her and her mother's house in Mountbatten Avenue, Chatham. Picture: Laura Roebuck

This year it has returned with a vengeance, appearing in almost every room in their house, particularly the bathroom, kitchen, front room and both bedrooms.

The problem has gotten so bad that Debrah has had to throw away her bed after mould began growing on it.

The pair say they have been reporting it to housing company Orbit for the past year but no one has been out to assess the issue.

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June said: "We have been treated very badly. They don't want to know, just so long as they're getting their money.

"They don't care about our health."

Mould around a window in June and Debrah's House. Picture: Laura Roebuck

June, 89, lives with her 59-year-old daughter, who has a learning difficulty and has had a chest infection for the last three weeks.

Debrah is also suffering back problems since having to throw away her bed and now having to sleep on her recliner chair.

And they're not the only ones, as next door, mother-of-three Laura Roebuck has experienced problems with mould since she moved in seven years ago.

She said: "It's been an ongoing battle and it's getting ridiculous, especially when I have children living in the property.

"Debrah and June feel the same way – they've got to the point now they don't want to live there or deal with Orbit anymore."

Mould found under Laura's sink. Picture: Laura Roebuck

Laura said her situation was not as severe as her neighbours but has she still had to throw away her son's wardrobe and more recently his bed due to the mould.

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Her eldest Romeo has also suffered a chest infection for the last seven months.

She continued: "At first I didn't think of the mould but when I took him to the doctors I mentioned it and the doctor said that can be what is causing the ongoing issue."

Laura reported it to the housing company but criticised its response.

"Every year I get the issue but this year Orbit just haven't seem to have taken note. One year they did take six months to come out and clean it.

More mould in June and Debrah's House. Picture: Laura Roebuck

"Most years before they were all right, it's just this year they haven't handled it like before."

Orbit has since been to inspect Laura's property and found a faulty heater – but at the time of writing, June and Debrah were still waiting for their mould to be treated.

Laura said: "The inspectors came to mine on Thursday and I took them over to June and Debrah's

"They did have a look around but they weren't booked to go there, they only went because I asked them too."

An Orbit spokesman said: "We take reports of damp, mould and condensation issues extremely seriously.

Mould growing in Laura's son's wardrobe which has since been thrown out. Picture: Laura Roebuck

"We’re sorry for the delay in carrying out an inspection at this property and will also include a check of the neighbouring property.

"We will be replacing the faulty heaters and carrying out a full mould wash of the property should this be needed, whilst we await the results of the survey."

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