Marianne’s Story

“When I finally got my landlord to accept that the black mould in my previous flat was making me ill and offered me new accommodation, I hoped that some of my problems with allergies would be solved.

It had been an uphill struggle – the landlord only accepted that they had to give me new accommodation after I got a diagnosis of mould colonisation on my sinuses.

I was hopeful – but it went wrong. I was moved into a one-bedroom flat that still had mould in in some places and, before long, I had to turn my living room into a studio room so that I could sleep in there. I avoid my bedroom.

The kitchen is fine, but the hall is a problem, so when I open my front door I have to hold my breath until I get into the kitchen.

I complained again and the inspector who came round to the new flat said: “Oh, you’re the poor girl who was in the flat with all the black mould”. It made me think that if they knew it was a problem for me then, why did they put me in another flat with mould?

I think the inspector has taken my problem seriously and is going to have the air in the flat tested.

I want my home to be safe. I feel it should be somewhere where I have the best chance of keeping on top of my condition. I have problems outside with leaves in autumn and winter, for example. I know I can’t do anything about that, but it would make a big difference if I could come home to a flat that is safe.

I have prescriptions for allergic rhinitis and mould colonisation – and also for migraines because of the mould allergy. I wish people would understand that every breath matters when it comes to allergies.”