Social landlord takes tenant to court twice in one week over mouldy home

A tenant who has complained about mould in his flat is being taken to court twice in one week by his housing association landlord.

Alex Gordon has asked to be moved from his home in the south of the city as he suffers from a mould allergy and he has reports stating it is exacerbated by his housing conditions where high levels of mould have been found.

Wheatley Homes Glasgow has started legal proceedings to get access to the home.

A hearing is to take place at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday.

Mr Gordon, however, said he wants to be moved from the home which he said has damaged his health.

We previously reported his ongoing battle since 2010 and how he was told there was no mould in his home.

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A second case, to call two days later, is to close a case where Mr Gordon was taking action to try to force what was then GHA to rehouse him on health grounds.

Mr Gordon said the letter states that costs could be awarded to GHA against him.

He said he is a pensioner with no other income and cannot afford any legal costs.

He said: I am being taken to court but I am a victim just asking to be rehoused.

“They have been into the house several times with inspectors and housing officers and have done nothing.”

He said Wheatley Homes has proposed treating the mould with a solution then applying bonding and then painting.

The tenant has reports from an independent environmental air quality inspector that said it needs to be removed completely.

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The landlord said it is not seeking costs.

A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said: “We take every report of damp or mould very seriously and have robust procedures in place to carry out the work quickly.

“Staff have tried repeatedly to work with Mr Gordon and his representative to arrange a date for any work needing done, but they’ve refused.

“This work would include an independent assessor and a full inspection. Any work identified by the assessor will be carried out. This can’t happen until we get into the flat.

“We’ve now been left with no option but to go to court to get into the home so we can carry out repairs.

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“We are doing everything we can to help the family find a home which meets their needs. They continue to have our highest priority for rehousing.

“Despite claims, we are not seeking costs over previous legal proceedings involving Mr Gordon.”

Mr Gordon is being represented by Sean Clerkin of the Scottish Tenants Organisation.

He has made a formal complaint on Mr Gordon’s behalf.

Mr Clerkin said: “Wheatley Homes are behaving in a very vindictive manner towards my client by threatening to force entry to his home to enforce treatment works that have been shown to be ineffective over the years.

“Alex Gordon is a very ill man and for Wheatley Homes Glasgow to pursue him through the courts is an attempt to silence him.”