Elderly couple ‘forced to sleep on living room floor’ due to mould in bedroom
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A father says he has been forced to sleep on his living room floor because of such bad mould in his bedroom.
Kevin Barry says he is plagued by mould behind is bed of his Blackheath home.
Mr Barry, 69, has lived in the property since 1996. The dad said that until last week he and his wife spent a month sleeping in their living room to avoid their mouldy bedroom.
Mr Barry said: “We’re supposed to be in a two-bedroom flat. And my wife’s gone 70, I’m going on 70, more like 80, and you’re dossing down on the living room floor of your own flat.
“My body feels wrecked still from that month on the floor. And I said to my wife, ‘I can’t stand this anymore. There’s no alternative. I have to go back upstairs.’”
Mr Barry and his wife, Rita, said they first told the council about the mould on their bedroom ceiling on November 7, after a spout of heavy rain.
They said a roofer was sent by the council later that month. Mrs Barry, 70, said: “He said that the mould needed sorting as an emergency and we shouldn’t be sleeping in that room.”
After the roofer visited, Mr Barry said he and his wife started sleeping in the living room. Mrs Barry said she slept on a camp bed, while Mr Barry lay on couch cushions on the ground with duvets and blankets.
A Greenwich council spokeswoman said: “We’re aware of the case, have attended the property, undertaken an inspection and have already carried out some initial works.
“We will continue to work closely with Mr Barry and are in the process of arranging further works.”
We know that damp and mould is a big concern for our tenants, and we take this very seriously.
“We understand that this is an extremely difficult time for many residents who may be avoiding heating their homes.
“We’d urge any council tenants who are struggling to afford their energy bills to contact the council or their tenancy officer for advice, support and next steps.”
Pictured top: Kevin Barry, 69, on the couch that he said he had to use the cushions of to sleep on the floor for a month (Picture: Joe Coughlan)
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