Pregnant mum unable to leave mouldy rental

A young mum who is 26 weeks pregnant has asked to be relocated from her housing commission flat to protect her family’s health. 

The woman says she and her three-year-old daughter have developed health issues as a result of living in a mould-ridden home for the past year. 

Now pregnant with her second child, Kira Chambers told The Derby Telegraph she has “nowhere else to turn”. They reside in the UK city of Derby.

Chambers said that she and her daughter “have been warned by doctors that we cannot continue living in the flat and my son, who is due to be born eight weeks premature later this year, cannot live in this home when he is born”. 

The local council, who manages the property, has undertaken several wall washes since she first reported the mould and damp issues, according to Chambers.

She also said the council offered to install a vent in the flat, provided a free dehumidifier and replacements for the damaged furniture, and advised her to keep the heating on “all day”, although Chambers stated the last suggestion is “simply unaffordable”. 

In her opinion, this is a “short-term solution to a long-term problem”. 

Fearing for the health of her premature son, the woman has moved to her mother’s house while she waits for the next clean to take place. However, due to the requirements of her housing benefit, she is not permitted to live away from home for more than three days. 

“I’m just so worried that I will have to continue living here while the flat is riddled with mould,” she said. 

“Not only do I worry for myself and my children, but I also worry about others in the city. If this is happening to me, I dread to think how much others are suffering at the moment.”