Swindon mum's misery as mouldy house leads to children falling ill

Each year for the last three years, Tracy Monger has seen patches of damp fester on the walls and ceilings of her West Swindon home.

Despite contacting the Guinness Partnership housing association, who apply special paint and cleaning chemicals in an attempt to remove the mould and prevent it returning, the problem keeps recurring - and getting worse.

Mould in the children's bedroom (Image: From public)

In the last few weeks, her young daughters have started coughing and becoming unwell, which Tracy fears is due to the increasingly-poor state of the property.

Reading the tragic news of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died due to extensive mould in his family's flat in Rochdale, added to Tracy's anxiety.

Mould often appears around the windows (Image: From public)

She told the Adver: "It's in the same places every year but it keeps building up and seems to be spreading more and more each time. Water's started coming in now, from the loft.

"This time, the housing company said there was nothing they could do to help and suggested opening the windows to ventilate the house, which is already very cold as it is.

"I pay rent and service charges but they always rush jobs, don't do them properly, and have an answer for everything instead of doing a good job.

"My children both have chesty colds that aren't going away.

"I didn't realise mildew was so dangerous until I read up about it, it's a serious health issue and more needs to be done to sort this out."

Guinness Partnership staff visited Tracy's home after she spoke to the Adver and inspected the property.

A spokesman said: "We are very sorry that mould is present in Ms Monger’s home and we are doing everything possible to treat and prevent this.

"Following the recent report of mould in Ms Monger’s home, we had agreed an appointment to inspect and treat the problem.

"Upon being made aware of the children’s chesty coughs and Ms Monger’s concerns about this, we brought forward the appointment and attended immediately.

"We carried out a mould wash and treatment during that visit and have also arranged some works to the home which we hope will prevent reoccurrence.

"Ms Monger has said she is happy with the approach we are taking to rectify the problem.”