A MUM-OF-TWO claims her house is so mouldy it has given her lifelong health issues which mean she can no longer push her daughter in a pram.
Jodie Journeaux, 21, said she gets so out of breath doing everyday parenting jobs her life is “a mess” and wants nothing more than to be out of the “hell hole”.
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She moved into the two-bed property in October 2020 and quickly noticed the living room was covered in black splodges.
“Disgusting” spores then appeared on her sofa, walls, ceiling and floor, and even spread to her kids’ toys.
She said she quickly complained to her housing association the Guinness Partnership but was left in the lurch.
Weeks went by without a word and the mould slowly got worse and worse, Jodie claims.
Then things came to a head in July 2021 when Jodie was hospitalised with severe breathing problems and pneumonia.
Despite being deemed “recovered” from the illness, she has suffered chest problems ever since.
Jodie, from Riddings in Alfreton, Derbyshire, said: “Doctors said they think the mould and damp in the house might have caused it.
“It led to a permanent lung condition called bronchiectasis and aspergillus fungi growing inside of me.
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“I can’t push my daughter in her pram anymore. I get chest pains and it takes my breath away.
“I cry about it a lot. It’s just a mess.
“I’m only 21 years old. I should be able to do the things that a normal mum does with her children but I just can’t anymore.”
The family are confined to the kitchen – the warmest room in the house – despite the freezing cold concrete floors.
But in an attempt to make the house feel more like a home for her children, aged two and nine months, she placed some “cheap laminate squares” down so they have somewhere to play.
However, as well as impacting her own health, doctors have suggested the conditions in the rest of the house could be hindering her children’s development as they are unable to safely learn and explore.
Jodie said: “My son is trapped in the kitchen which is awful.
“And I should have carpet down for my daughter because she is ready to crawl but can’t do that on concrete or laminate floor as it’s too dangerous.
“But we’re stuck here. We’re really not comfortable in our own home. We just want to get out.”
In early November last year, Jodie said her landlord told her she would be out within 12 weeks.
The council also informed her she was on the waiting list for a local authority property but she is still waiting to be rehoused.
‘HELL HOLE’
Workmen did visit her house on January 20 to treat the mould, but Jodie just wants to be out of there.
A spokesperson for The Guinness Partnership said: “We have visited Ms Journeaux’s home and carried out repairs on a number of occasions since she moved in just over a year ago.
“We are sorry that there is mould present in Ms Journeaux’s home.
“We have previously cleaned mould from the property but it appears to have recurred, and our most recent offer to clean and treat the mould has been refused by Ms Journeaux, as she has concerns about the chemicals involved in mould treatment.
“We are aware of Ms Journeaux’s health conditions and, on the advice of her GP, we have prioritised her for a move, however Ms Journeaux has advised that she does not wish to move with us, as she is looking for a newer home and we do not have any in the area.
“We will still offer her any of our homes in the area that become available and we are supporting her in trying to secure priority banding with the local authority.
“In the meantime should Ms Journeaux change her mind about our treating the mould we would be happy to do this.”
Amber Valley Borough Council has been contacted for comment.
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