Family-of-six are ‘in-and-out of hospital’ due to damp and mouldy council flat

A family of six have been ‘in and out of hospital’ because their damp and mouldy council flat is making them sick. 

An overpowering smell of mildew emits from the sofa, beds and toys and the corners of the walls are riddled with black mould. 

Curtains, clothes, bedding and car seats have had to be thrown away due to the damage caused by the damp. 

Parents Gavin and Naomi Maynard-Grant have even had letters from nursery concerned about their son’s constant sniffles.

A family of six have been ‘in and out of hospital’ because their damp and mouldy council flat is making them sick

An overpowering smell of mildew permeates the sofa, beds and toys and the corners of the walls are black with mould

An overpowering smell of mildew permeates the sofa, beds and toys and the corners of the walls are black with mould

Peeling wallpaper on a damaged wall. Curtains, clothes, bedding and car seats have had to be thrown away due to the damage caused by the damp

Peeling wallpaper on a damaged wall. Curtains, clothes, bedding and car seats have had to be thrown away due to the damage caused by the damp

Since moving into the Bromford flat in 2015, father Gavin Maynard-Grant has appealed to Birmingham City Council for help but claims the problem has never been resolved. 

Maynard-Grant, a van driver, said: ‘It’s terrible considering our health problems,’ said father-of-four Gavin, 28 and a van driver. 

‘And the timescale it’s been going on for is ridiculous.’ 

Mr Maynard-Grant and his wife Naomi have four sons – Jayden, 10, twins Kyaha and Isaac, four, and Leo, three – who keep falling ill from the condition of the flat. 

Jayden suffers from severe asthma and Kyaha is now developing the same symptoms. 

Naomi has sleep apnea but cannot use her breathing machine at night for fear of breathing in mould spores.  

Mr Maynard-Grant said: ‘Jayden’s asthma is severe and it’s being made worse by being in this flat. He’s had to increase his hospital visits for asthma treatment as a result of the state he’s living in at home. 

Naomi has sleep apnea but cannot use her breathing machine at night for fear of breathing in mould spores

Naomi has sleep apnea but cannot use her breathing machine at night for fear of breathing in mould spores

A broken socket and mouldy carpets. The parents have even had letters from nursery concerned about their younger children's constant sniffles

A broken socket and mouldy carpets. The parents have even had letters from nursery concerned about their younger children's constant sniffles

A broken socket and mouldy carpets. The parents have even had letters from nursery concerned about their younger children’s constant sniffles

‘Now Kyaha is developing the same symptoms as his big brother and that’s such a shame to see.’ 

He added: ‘Naomi can’t use her sleep apnea equipment and the other two kids have always got sniffles. We’ve actually had letters home from nursery saying they were concerned that they always have sniffles. 

‘I am also having health tests at the moment for trigeminal neuralgia. It’s not linked to the mould issue but it’s something else we’re having to deal with too.’ 

Mr Maynard-Grant believes the three-bedroom flat may have been flooded when a previous upstairs neighbour accidentally left their bath running. 

‘When we first moved in, the damage had been covered up with paint,’ he said. 

The family has had to throw away furnishing and clothes as a result of the problem

The family has had to throw away furnishing and clothes as a result of the problem

Wallpaper peeling from the ceiling. Mr Maynard-Grant believes the three-bedroom flat may have been flooded when a previous upstairs neighbour accidentally left their bath running

Wallpaper peeling from the ceiling. Mr Maynard-Grant believes the three-bedroom flat may have been flooded when a previous upstairs neighbour accidentally left their bath running

Mould grows on a window. Mr Maynard-Grant and his wife Naomi have four sons who keep falling ill from the condition of the flat

Mould grows on a window. Mr Maynard-Grant and his wife Naomi have four sons who keep falling ill from the condition of the flat

‘We got the council to come out and they did some work but the mould has just come back and got worse. 

‘It’s in every room.’ 

The family has had to throw away furnishing and clothes as a result of the problem. 

‘The sofa and the carpets all hold that smell,’ said Gavin, whose wife Naomi works as a sales assistant. 

‘We’ve had to throw out the curtains, clothes and car seats. I didn’t want the kids anywhere near them.’ 

‘Bedding has had to be got rid of too. ‘We’ve been burgled twice too, so we’ve lost valuables as well. 

‘I’ve reached out to the council, our local MPs and councillors but it’s still the case that nothing has been done.’ 

Julie Griffin, acting housing director for Birmingham City Council said: ‘We invest more than £50m annually in our properties to ensure that council housing stock upholds the standards expected for our citizens. 

‘This includes money to improve ventilation systems like windows, doors and balconies which play a vital role in preventing damp conditions. 

‘However, there are also clear instructions within our conditions of tenancy that outline how to avoid issues with the build-up of moisture which causes mould growth. 

‘This includes the process for reporting an issue, the time frame for a response and follow up investigation by our contractors, as well as the types of activities that should be avoided by tenants. 

‘We will do everything we can to maintain and provide the best possible housing but we need our tenants to work with us to maintain the upkeep of the accommodation provided.’

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