Holbeach St Johns family fear their health is at risk as a result of black mould

A family fear their health could be seriously affected by black mould spreading across walls at their home – and say their calls for help are falling on deaf ears.

Sean Cooke, who lives at the South Holland District Council-owned property in Holbeach St Johns, suffers with asthma while his 14-year-old daughter was discovered to have a mould allergy after being hospitalised five years ago.

They also have concerns about how electrics could be affected in the property.

The mould can be seen across the four rooms of the outhouse, which is adjoined to their home at Joy’s Bank, and is now spreading to the walls of the kitchen.

The problem began around 18 months ago when a leak was found in the outhouse roof.

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After this was patched up the Mr Cooke, who lives with his wife, daughter and 16-year-old son, decided to take matters into his own hands.

“We used over-the-counter mould cleaner, and cleaned it off,” he explained.

“I looked on the internet and there were products you could use to fight mould, so we used those. We sealed the walls with an anti-mould cleaner and Artexed over the walls and painted it.”

Also: A South Witham man has been left frustrated with damp

However, the mould began returning after Christmas and despite ‘at least 17 calls to the council’ the only response the family have had was a site visit by man Mr Cooke has been told was a temporary employee who no-longer works for the council.

“He told us they don’t do outhouses. He said ‘it’s a brick shed with a roof over it – we don’t do those’.

“So why did he come out?”

This led Mr Cooke – who moved to the area with his family from Surrey three-and-a-half years ago – to question why SHDC had carried out work – including fixing the roof and replacing a window – in a part of the property they say they don’t cover.

“They call it a brick shed with a roof, but it’s attached to our home and has electrics in it that they put in, and it’s covered by our rent agreement” added Mr Cooke, a qualified PAT-tester.

“Electrics and water don’t mix. You don’t need to be a qualified electrician to know you don’t put a TV near the bath.

“As a father and a husband I look after my family, When it comes to health and safety that falls on me as an adult and rent payer.

“But I can’t look after my family because of this situation. I get angry and bitter and the most important thing is I’m powerless to do anything.

“I can spray the walls till the cows come home and it’ll only come back.”

Part of the appeal of the Joy’s Bank property for the Cookes was the outhouse, which they planned to transform into a private space for their autistic son ‘who needs extra room and a place to explore and have space away from us’.

“But it cant be used at all,” Mr Cooke added.

“If we had a fire and can’t get to out the front door then that (the outhouse) is the only access out, but my daughter can’t use that.

“She’s been diagnosed with a mould allergy and we found that the hard way when she was hospitalised about five years ago. That was nothing to do with this council or the area.

“But after all the testing they found out she was allergic to mould, and we’re growing mould like it’s going out of fashion.

“She cant go out that way into the back garden.”

“I have asthma. It is controlled but this week through doing something in the outhouse I’m chesty and I’ve been hammering home the inhalers. As we all know, black mould attacks the lungs.

“Two of us are very much allergic and prone to mould-related illnesses and the council know that.”

A South Holland District Council spokesperson said: “Mr Cooke first reported this issue to the council in January and officers liaised with him the following day to learn more.

"It was confirmed that the mould was contained to an outhouse only and the tenant was advised that the council is unable to treat mould in outhouses and the case was subsequently closed. The brick outbuilding is owned by SHDC and the external structure of this building is maintained by the authority to keep it watertight and weatherproof.

"The outbuilding is not fit for use as a habitable place for tenants to live in or use as a living place and we would not give Landlord’s permission for it to be used as such. This outbuilding is not insulated or heated to any degree so damp, condensation and mould would be expected particularly through the winter. Mould in outbuildings is well documented as not being treatable due to the nature of the construction.

"To this end, it would not be our responsibility to clean the outbuilding but the tenant could do so if they wished.”

The response continued: “The surveyors that have attended the property have been unable to identify any mould inside the property classed as habitable space.

"The mould coming through to the kitchen has not been reported to us, nor was it mentioned during previous phone calls with the tenant. Officers visited the tenant on February 15 and it was determined that the mould was in the outbuilding only.

"Our surveyors also attended the property on March 8 and found a tumble dryer in use in the kitchen without an extractor fan switched on. The tenant was advised to address this but there was no sign of mould within the kitchen.

"However, there were a couple of minor repairs required (not damp or mould related) which were reported to the relevant officers as a result.

"Mr Cooke has spoken to members of our Technical Administrative Team, three of our surveyors and the Service Manager. It is clear through extensive engagement with the service that he is not being ignored and his calls have been answered.

"Our timescale for response in habitable spaces would be 24 hours based on the health conditions explained- this has been met.

"We acknowledge that Mr Cooke disagrees with the Council. However, we do not believe the Council is acting outside of acceptable industry standards."