Mother's mouldy council house endangers her children's health

A mother from Colchester, Essex, is raising concerns about the health of her young children due to mould in their council house. Tia Patmore, 22, moved into the two-bedroom home in September 2022. Since July 2024, she has noticed significant mould and dampness in various parts of the house. Tia's two daughters, ages two and one, have been hospitalized seven times with respiratory issues, which doctors attribute to the mould. Both children now rely on inhalers to help with their breathing. Tia has spent £400 out of her £800 monthly benefits budget to try to clean the mould and repaint the kitchen, but the problem remains. Despite multiple complaints to Colchester Borough Homes, Tia feels her concerns have not been addressed. She expressed feelings of failure, saying, “I feel like I can’t keep them safe at home.” The mould began to appear on skirting boards and worsened over time, leading to hospital visits for her daughters. In January 2025, Tia's eldest daughter was prescribed a steroid inhaler. A doctor confirmed that the children’s respiratory problems were indeed linked to the mould. Tia hopes the council will resolve the issue or offer her a new home. Colchester Borough Homes stated that an inspection was scheduled after their attempts to contact Tia were hindered by a change in her phone number. They claim to be addressing her complaints and have plans to investigate and treat the mould problem further.