Family forced to live in cold damp house

Warren Penny, of Avonmore Park, says that despite spending twice what he normally would on heating his flat remains cold and damp and almost impossible to live in.

He claims he has been let down by the Housing Executive, whom he says are not doing enough to resolve the damp and mould issues in their two-bedroomed flat.

Warren, his partner Kirsty and their family - Christian (3) and Isaac (9 months) - have lived in their home for the past two years and say that the mould and dampness is ‘nothing more than ridiculous.’

“We have been reporting these issues now for a year,” said Warren.

“Every time we complain the Housing Executive come out, put some liquid over the mould and say that it is fixed and away they go.

“Before you know it the mould reappears.

“The door and windows are covered in mould. One of the bedroom’s wall is brown with mould.

“There is such a big gap in one of the windows that you can practically place a £1 coin in the gap between the window and the ledge.

“We keep being told that someone will come in to check and see if it will be insulated but nothing happens.

“No-one comes out to fix the windows.

“We have been told time and time again that someone will come out to have a look at it but they never do.

“The bedsheets in the bedrooms which are so cold that they are soaking with the damp.”

A spokesperson for the Housing Executive said: “The Housing Executive carried out various work to this property towards the end of 2014.

“One of our Maintenance Officers will call with our tenant to discuss this report of mould and dampness.

“Further remedial work which is required will be carried out within three weeks.”