Glasgow woman living in Maryhill flat 'riddled with mould'

Nicola Gibb says staying in her Maryhill property has become ‘intolerable’ after she discovered disgusting patches of black mould which have spread in her hallway and bathroom.

Nicola, who suffers from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also claims to have water coming through the walls of one of her rooms.

The 46-year-old told the Glasgow Times: “I’m worried sick about this and fear it’s impacting my already fragile health.

“There’s thick black mould in the hallway floor and walls and it's getting worse.

"I’ve tried cleaning it off, but it just comes back worse, whatever I use to remove it. The flat smells repugnant and damp, and I'm having to use air fresheners around the clock to try and hide the stench.

"These really aggravate my asthma and COPD, but I don't know what else to do.

“I dread to think what it's going to be like when its cold and damp outside. My health isn’t great, and I shouldn’t have to live like this.

"You wouldn't leave an animal to live in a flat like this and I constantly struggle for breath because of the mould spores.

“I feel too embarrassed to invite my friends or family around because it looks so bad. This has been going on for too long and I’m sick to death of living like this."

A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said they’ve been out to inspect the flat but Nicola wasn’t in when the repair team turned up.

Nicola was diagnosed with cancer in August last year and underwent surgery to remove part of her right lung in November. She’s now in remission but requires regular hospital check-ups.

She claims she first became concerned about dampness after moving into the property in Glenfinnan Road two years ago.

Nicola explained: “Not long after getting the keys, I could hear running water coming from behind a wall in my bathroom. My son-in-law removed a panel and found water running down the inside of the wall.

“Soon after, I noticed a smell coming from the hallway and when I pulled back the carpet it was covered in thick black mould. It’s absolutely disgusting, and it has now spread up the walls leaving the place in a terrible state.

"The flat isn't fit for purpose and I dread to think the impact the mould is having on my long-term health.

“I was devastated to find out I had cancer and the surgery took a lot of time to recover from. Thankfully I’m now in remission, but I’m waiting on a biopsy for a lump in my neck.

"I’ve got a very weak immune system and get breathless easily. I can’t sleep at night worrying about what I could be breathing in."

Housing inspectors for Wheatley Homes Glasgow say they have visited Nicola’s property on several occasions to inspect the mould and to arrange a date to carry out repairs. 

A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said: “We’re sorry for any delay and inconvenience to our tenant.

“Our repairs team was previously in touch with the tenant to arrange a date and time for an initial inspection. However, the tenant wasn’t in at the time agreed and we couldn’t get access.

“Once we did carry out the inspection, we quickly arranged a date with the tenant for the repair to be carried out. Unfortunately, the tenant was not at home once again when our team turned up.

“We’ve been in touch with our tenant again this week and arranged for works to be carried out today.”