Family fear for health in Glasgow flat riddled with damp and 'black mould'

A family-of-five fear for their safety after battling with damp in their Glasgow flat for a year. Kharman Ahmed, husband Hiwa Khalid Saleem, and their three children aged five, 10 and 13, have aired health concerns as they slammed authorities over a lack of action in their Castlemilk home.

The Kurdish refugee family have lived in the riddled property for three years, with the bathroom ceiling reportedly "dangerously caving in" after housing chiefs at Wheatley Homes used a plank of wood to try and fix a leak that started two years ago, Glasgow Live reports.

Tenants union Living Rent say the home is now plagued with damp and highly damaging black mould, claiming workers have not returned to the flat to re-plaster the ceiling, with water continuing to pour down the wall.

Desperate Kharman said: "I do not understand why we have to live in a home that is not safe. I worry about my husband and children’s health.

"Damp and mould is not good for my children and it makes me angry that Wheatley Homes are refusing to do proper repairs. It is completely appalling.

"This is not a way to raise children - I want them to live in a safe and healthy home free from mould and damp. We’ve tried everything to get Wheatley Homes to deal with the repairs but for over a year, they’ve done nothing.

"All we ask is for our home to be up to standards and for us be treated with the respect we deserve."

Wheatley Homes say they only deal with 'external repairs' to the council-owned property and placed responsibility for the damp and mould with Glasgow City Council. However union chiefs claim Wheatley Homes are responsible for managing the block and has already been out to inspect the bathroom.

Kharman looks after her 45-year-old husband who already has health battles including migraines and chronic back pain. Their 20-year-old daughter is currently in a hotel waiting to be rehoused.

The family are living in the property on a 'temporary basis' and have an occupancy tenancy with the council. As a result they do not have access to a number of documents, including their bills and energy supplies, which has made it tougher to get repairs done by themselves.

Council chiefs say they have been working with Wheatley Homes to 'resolve the issue'. And while Wheatley maintain the family are not their tenants, they have said they will work with the council to help get them support.

Living Rent Organiser, Sonja Coquelin added: "I am shocked to see yet again another family living in a mouldy flat. We all deserve to live in mould and damp free homes.

"It is unbelievable that this family has had mould and damp in his flat for so long. We know the effects of poor quality housing on people’s health.

"Wheatley has a responsibility to ensure people’s homes are in a livable condition. Tenants should not be forced to accept mould as part and parcel of our living experience.

"We need legislation that puts the responsibility firmly back where it belongs, at the door of the landlords. If England can legislate against mould and damp, so can Scotland."

A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said: "The family are not Wheatley Homes Glasgow tenants and are staying in a temporary furnished flat, which is managed by Glasgow City Council.

"We will continue to liaise with the council to support them in getting any repairs carried out as soon as possible."

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "We were made aware of the issues with the issue of water penetration on 22 April. We have been working with Wheatley Homes Glasgow to resolve the issue.

"Plumbers attended the property on the April 23 and undertook repairs after HSCP officers carried out a visit to the property. Following further concerns being highlighted, Wheatley Homes Glasgow have requested that a tradesperson attend the property to further assist."

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