Mould growing in a flat has affected a man’s mental health and breathing problems so badly that medical professionals have written to the council.
Martin Miles has been living with damp in his one-bedroom flat in Aspen Gardens, Hammersmith, for the past year.
The 33-year-old has complained to Hammersmith and Fulham Council numerous times over the past six months, but they have failed to fix the problem.
Mr Miles’s community psychiatric nurse, of the NHS Claybrook Centre, wrote to the authority, urging them to fix the problem which she said is causing Mr Miles’s anxiety and stress to become more pronounced.
His GP also wrote a letter saying it is affecting his breathing.
Mr Miles said: “I’m having to live in my bedroom because the mould is so bad in the living room. I can run my hand down the wall and it’s soaking wet.
“My breathing is getting worse. It’s so bad, I have to spend most my time out of the flat.
“I’ve got mental health problems which were under control but they’re coming on again.”
Councillor Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said: “We’ve apologised to Mr Miles for the problem he’s been experiencing and have asked our repairs contractor to carry out a mould wash treatment.
“If any building defects are uncovered that could be exacerbating the situation, appropriate repairs will be undertaken.
“We’ve also arranged for officers to visit his property to offer information and advice about ways in which he can help prevent mould growth.
“This will include how to maintain conditions in his home at a level that will not allow condensation, and the resultant mould, to form.”
