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Aug 14, 2023

I sleep in front room on blow

A MUM claims she is forced to sleep on a blow up mattress with her two children

A MUM claims she is forced to sleep on a blow up mattress with her two children in their mouldy and rat-infested home.

Tanya Hall, 40, and her two sons Themetrius, 22, and Haiden, seven, have been told to sleep in their living room following medical advice to stay away from the mould.

The healthcare worker also says they have been plagued by rats that have invaded the oven at her home in Southall, West London.

But Tanya claims despite the mould and rodent issue, housing association A2Dominion have branded the home "safe".

She told The Mirror: "I get panic attacks a lot because of this house. I'm thinking about the safety of my children. I don't sleep. I'm catching rats.

"That's what stopped me from cooking for a few days because I'm scared. [The rats] live in my walls every single night.

"When I see the rat droppings I don't eat in the house. I have to order takeaways."

Tanya says she has been forced to replace her belongings which have been damaged by mould.

She was also told to keep away from any rooms with the issue by medics, who were scrambled to her home after she suffered breathing problems.

The mum even claims her children have been left coughing and "choking every single night" because of the mould.

They are also left "freezing" most evenings as the living room is located right next to the back garden.

She said: "We cough every night in here. We don't sleep every night.

"When I go to bed, my chest gets tight at night in that room. I can't breathe. We're choking because of the mould."

A pest control company was called into the home by landlords to deal with the rodent issue but the housing association said the expert found minimal activity.

Dawn Wightman, Director of Homes & Communities, at A2Dominion, apologised to Tanya for over the problems in her home and said they take reports of mould "very seriously".

She also revealed a specialist inspection was carried out with repair works ongoing, including "extensive proofing" to protect the home from mould.

Ms Wightman added: "Our team spoke with Ms Hall on Tuesday 21 March and told her that further investigation works will take place on Thursday 6 April.

"We’ve informed Ms Hall that there is no need for her to move out of the property and we have not advised her to sleep in the front room.

"The decision not to relocate the family was made alongside the relevant authorities, who have knowledge of Ms Hall's particular circumstances and access to the relevant information.

"We’re also sorry to hear that some of Ms Hall's belongings have been damaged and would advise her to make an insurance claim, should any assistance be required then we remain on hand to help.

"We’ve agreed with Ms Hall to maintain weekly contact and will continue to act in her best interests.

"We’d like to reassure her that the property is safe and we are doing all we can to resolve this as quickly as possible."