Eltham damp in council houses forces families to share one bed
12:38pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in News By Sarah Trotter
The '3-D' mould creeping through an Eltham family's council house
DAMP creeping through Eltham has forced one family to sleep on a single mattress in their living room to escape a "3-D" black mould.
While another Eltham mum says she has to climb into her children’s bunk beds to flee the mouldy menace in her bedroom.
News Shopper received three independent reports of the growing problem in Eltham council properties in the space of one week.
Ryan Homewood, who lives in Linsted Court, resorted to sleeping on a mattress with his partner Gemma Crutch, six-year-old son Heddy and three-year-old daughter Milly as the bedrooms’ mould was so bad.
He said: "It is all black. It is like 3D - it looks like it is sticking out of the wall.
"We have put our mattress into the front room and slept on that.
"My children haven’t stopped coughing so it is getting a bit worrying."
Mr Homewood says the family have contacted the council repeatedly and cleaned the fungus off themselves but it keeps returning.
In nearby Elmbrook Gardens, Jenny Sullivan says she has been living with "smelly" mould for five years which also means she cannot use her own bedroom.
The 31-year-old mother-of-two said: "It is bad. I have never been able to use my bedroom.
"I am having to sleep on my sofa or in the girls’ room on their floor.
"I feel sorry for my kids because if someone comes round we have to apologise for the smell."
Her brother Mish Al-Shaibi once stayed in the room for three days and is convinced it made him ill last year with a viral infection and swollen gums.
The 34-year-old said: "It is just madness. My sister sleeps on the sofa or in bunk beds.
"I just think it is awful.
"They would soon be on top of her if she wasn’t paying council tax but have avoided this for five years."
Lisa Cresswell, of Restons Crescent, also says she has complained to the council many times about damp in her property which she says is affecting the health of her eight-month-old baby.
A Greenwich Council spokesman said: "The Royal Borough recognises the on-going problems with damp and mould in these three properties and will continue to work with tenants to find a permanent solution.
"To this end a specialist team has recently been established within the Housing Department to address these types of issues and a number of additional works have been identified to resolve the specific problems within these properties."
Comments(54)
NinaNina
says...
3:13pm Thu 21 Feb 13
the wall
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3:18pm Thu 21 Feb 13
Only_me!!
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3:44pm Thu 21 Feb 13
jennysullivan2
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1:24am Sat 23 Feb 13
babyheart
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12:30pm Sat 23 Feb 13
lollie,erith
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3:59pm Sat 23 Feb 13
the wall
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10:23am Mon 25 Feb 13
babyheart - What is ure? Do you mean your or you're?
diffrent - different.
speakes - speaks.
intitled - entitled.
And for both of you:
These are full stops .............
These are apostrophe ''''''''''
These are commas ,,,,,,,
Please learn to use them.
Inspirationalady28
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11:08am Mon 25 Feb 13
the wall
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11:37am Mon 25 Feb 13
Inspirationalady28 wrote:Are you bullying me?
...and you should learn to correct your own mistakes before correcting others.. because there's more than one 'apostrophe', you omitted the (S) at the end..It's 'APOSTROPHES'!!!
the wall
says...
11:41am Mon 25 Feb 13
Inspirationalady28 wrote:Or shall we look at the mistakes you have made in your comment.
...and you should learn to correct your own mistakes before correcting others.. because there's more than one 'apostrophe', you omitted the (S) at the end..It's 'APOSTROPHES'!!!
No you will just report this post and threaten me again.
babyheart
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2:40pm Mon 25 Feb 13
the wall
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4:34pm Mon 25 Feb 13
babyheart wrote:Speakes is wrong, it's speaks. Also no e on the end of wrong. It's not like you have even read the posts and taken on board what has been said.
i never said i was great at spelling and yes everyone has a voice all im saying is if the place is that bad for her to get moved out it speakes for itself how bad it is and she wasnt a dirty person to leave her home to rot without trying everthingand sorry if this upsets you with my spelling been wronge again ps and thanks for all that gave good advice
Very easy to do a spell check. How do you get by in your job? It's doesn't upset me in that I will lose any sleep about it. What it does do is build a mental picture of a moronic fat beast in clothing from Sports Direct and big Gold earrings, that breathes through it's mouth and chews food with it's mouth open. Education doesn't stop when you leave school it continues for the rest of your life.
This is just an opinion.
simonwebb70
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5:30pm Mon 25 Feb 13
......thanks Labour!
Inspirationalady28
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6:38pm Mon 25 Feb 13
the wall wrote:Even with the spelling mistakes, I can still read and understand what this person is trying to say, unlike you who is always waiting to pick fault and insult people in order to do a bit of trolling when you're bored! Yes, I have used the T******* word because that's exactly what you are doing. As for education, it's not all about spelling..just because a person has difficulty in spelling doesn't mean they lack education. Some people have dyslexia but can still be more intelligent than you!!
babyheart wrote:Speakes is wrong, it's speaks. Also no e on the end of wrong. It's not like you have even read the posts and taken on board what has been said.
i never said i was great at spelling and yes everyone has a voice all im saying is if the place is that bad for her to get moved out it speakes for itself how bad it is and she wasnt a dirty person to leave her home to rot without trying everthingand sorry if this upsets you with my spelling been wronge again ps and thanks for all that gave good advice
Very easy to do a spell check. How do you get by in your job? It's doesn't upset me in that I will lose any sleep about it. What it does do is build a mental picture of a moronic fat beast in clothing from Sports Direct and big Gold earrings, that breathes through it's mouth and chews food with it's mouth open. Education doesn't stop when you leave school it continues for the rest of your life.
This is just an opinion.
Inspirationalady28
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6:50pm Mon 25 Feb 13
the wall wrote:I wont reprt enyting and ive nevr thretened u. cn u undastand wht im sayen hre? Lol..
Inspirationalady28 wrote:Or shall we look at the mistakes you have made in your comment.
...and you should learn to correct your own mistakes before correcting others.. because there's more than one 'apostrophe', you omitted the (S) at the end..It's 'APOSTROPHES'!!!
No you will just report this post and threaten me again.
the wall
says...
8:18pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Inspirationalady28 wrote:No, I can never understand what you're babbling on about and you look even more of a fool.
the wall wrote:I wont reprt enyting and ive nevr thretened u. cn u undastand wht im sayen hre? Lol..
Inspirationalady28 wrote:Or shall we look at the mistakes you have made in your comment.
...and you should learn to correct your own mistakes before correcting others.. because there's more than one 'apostrophe', you omitted the (S) at the end..It's 'APOSTROPHES'!!!
No you will just report this post and threaten me again.
Funny that you bring up trolling. You like to dish it but don't like it back.
Don't keep commenting on my comments because according to you that's bullying. Oh and by the way don't keep playing that card because it's wearing thin.
Funny you that mention dyslexia, because I'm dyslexic. I have never used it in my life as an excuse for sloppy English neither should anyone else.
The old dig about people more intelligent than you - Please do point out to me where I said any different? Richard Branson, Tom Cruise and Henry Winkler all have dyslexia. Do you want a list of more people? Hans Christian Andersen, Danish writer - More talent than you will ever have.
Maybe you should just wind your neck in and stop trying to pick an online fight with me, because I can handle words on a screen and it's been proved many many times that you can't or do just like to play the victim all the time. Maybe you want to be some type of martyr.
Marty1979
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9:37pm Mon 25 Feb 13
babyheart wrote:Who has said she's a dirty person?
i never said i was great at spelling and yes everyone has a voice all im saying is if the place is that bad for her to get moved out it speakes for itself how bad it is and she wasnt a dirty person to leave her home to rot without trying everthingand sorry if this upsets you with my spelling been wronge again ps and thanks for all that gave good advice
babyheart
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10:50pm Mon 25 Feb 13
maybe you could take up teaching im not ashamed of not been able to spell but im most probelly more polite than you and maybe thats something you missed out on at school but thats my opinion free speech
Gypo.Joe
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11:26pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Why cant we all just get along.
tHaNk u very mucho. x
banjo8
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8:56am Tue 26 Feb 13
Mr_Fandango
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9:43am Tue 26 Feb 13
Eventually I was given a spray that killed it off but also the landlord decided to put in extractor fans in the affected rooms was rather noisy but did the trick.
Secondly I see The Wall going on with his utter nonsense again and picking on a person that is not only in the situation but also has a different opinion to him/her.
You happily mention free speech but in every single thing I have ever seen on here that you have posted it is clear that you only like your views and regardless of what other people say you’re the right person.
Maybe its time you decided to hop into the real world get a bit of air and try being a little more understanding of people and less of a keyboard warrior.
Feel free to pick out all my spelling mistakes and punctuation.
Many thanks.
Mr_Fandango
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9:48am Tue 26 Feb 13
the wall wrote:Clearly just a keyboard bully!!!
babyheart wrote: i never said i was great at spelling and yes everyone has a voice all im saying is if the place is that bad for her to get moved out it speakes for itself how bad it is and she wasnt a dirty person to leave her home to rot without trying everthingand sorry if this upsets you with my spelling been wronge again ps and thanks for all that gave good adviceSpeakes is wrong, it's speaks. Also no e on the end of wrong. It's not like you have even read the posts and taken on board what has been said. Very easy to do a spell check. How do you get by in your job? It's doesn't upset me in that I will lose any sleep about it. What it does do is build a mental picture of a moronic fat beast in clothing from Sports Direct and big Gold earrings, that breathes through it's mouth and chews food with it's mouth open. Education doesn't stop when you leave school it continues for the rest of your life. This is just an opinion.
Inspirationalady28
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10:03am Tue 26 Feb 13
@babyheart, take no notice of people who would rather post comments insulting you than offer support.. I do hope you get the problem sorted soon.
the wall
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10:08am Tue 26 Feb 13
babyheart wrote:Oh no you got me wrong I was trying to help you, give you some tips / handy hints. Things that I use to get over me reading and spelling issues. But if you want to go throught life like that then fine knock yourself out / fill your boots.
to the wall i think you must have a sad life to sit at ure computer and try to correct spelling and try to insult everyone on hear that points out your rudeness but thats ok i can take it i may have a spelling problem but it seems the way you try to intimadate others you have bigger problems so if thats what it takes to make you happy get on with it so sad that you carry on like this
maybe you could take up teaching im not ashamed of not been able to spell but im most probelly more polite than you and maybe thats something you missed out on at school but thats my opinion free speech
As for being a teacher no thanks. Thats not for me. Most parents and kids need a good hard slap. Teachers can't teach any more, their time is taken up with teaching skills to the child that the parents should of done.
the wall
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10:28am Tue 26 Feb 13
Mr_Fandango wrote:Thanks for the damp story. So the damp went then because air was allowed to circulate and the spray killed the mould.
Lets see first off I have had the exact same problem in my previous abode in Petts wood.
Eventually I was given a spray that killed it off but also the landlord decided to put in extractor fans in the affected rooms was rather noisy but did the trick.
Secondly I see The Wall going on with his utter nonsense again and picking on a person that is not only in the situation but also has a different opinion to him/her.
You happily mention free speech but in every single thing I have ever seen on here that you have posted it is clear that you only like your views and regardless of what other people say you’re the right person.
Maybe its time you decided to hop into the real world get a bit of air and try being a little more understanding of people and less of a keyboard warrior.
Feel free to pick out all my spelling mistakes and punctuation.
Many thanks.
Sorry if my use of words upsets you. Do you want everything wrapped up in cotton wool, no sharp edges. Would that suit you?
Yes I am a self righteous, I'm also not thick enough to defend the mongtards that serve to make life harder for the rest of us and cause so many problems. You call it more understanding of people, fair enough that your opinion. I call it making excuses.
I disapprove of some of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
Gypo.Joe
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10:34am Tue 26 Feb 13
Be nice now please Lou.
donkus
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11:24am Tue 26 Feb 13
rarecockneyguvnor
says...
11:48am Tue 26 Feb 13
The Navigator
says...
11:50am Tue 26 Feb 13
the wall wrote:I do feel sorry for the families involved it must be distressing and upsetting.
jennysullivan2 and babyheart - You both need to wind your neck in. People have offered advice on your 'sitaution' or even situation. So you don't think people should comment - Why not? Freedom of speech is still allowed. This is a public accessed website whereby the public can leave a comment. Maybe don't talk to the papers if you don't want people to 'judge'. babyheart - What is ure? Do you mean your or you're? diffrent - different. speakes - speaks. intitled - entitled. And for both of you: These are full stops ............. These are apostrophe '''''''''' These are commas ,,,,,,, Please learn to use them.
I wouldn't worry about 'The Wall', in respect of this story he is mentioning everyone has a right to free speech. However on another story on this web site he would seek to deny that same right to a street preacher :-
http://www.newsshopp
er.co.uk/news/102506
79.Woolwich_street_p
reacher_in_Greenwich
_Council_police_thre
at/?ref=mr
In short 'The Wall' is a wind up merchant who cites the free speech argument inconsistently and only to support his/her diatribe.
the wall
says...
12:02pm Tue 26 Feb 13
The Navigator wrote:Pop on over to that other story I have replied to your comment.
the wall wrote:I do feel sorry for the families involved it must be distressing and upsetting.
jennysullivan2 and babyheart - You both need to wind your neck in. People have offered advice on your 'sitaution' or even situation. So you don't think people should comment - Why not? Freedom of speech is still allowed. This is a public accessed website whereby the public can leave a comment. Maybe don't talk to the papers if you don't want people to 'judge'. babyheart - What is ure? Do you mean your or you're? diffrent - different. speakes - speaks. intitled - entitled. And for both of you: These are full stops ............. These are apostrophe '''''''''' These are commas ,,,,,,, Please learn to use them.
I wouldn't worry about 'The Wall', in respect of this story he is mentioning everyone has a right to free speech. However on another story on this web site he would seek to deny that same right to a street preacher :-
http://www.newsshopp
er.co.uk/news/102506
79.Woolwich_street_p
reacher_in_Greenwich
_Council_police_thre
at/?ref=mr
In short 'The Wall' is a wind up merchant who cites the free speech argument inconsistently and only to support his/her diatribe.
The Navigator
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12:04pm Tue 26 Feb 13
donkus
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12:27pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Beggar's can't be choosers!
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) if you're getting 'certain' income related benefits you 'might' be able to get help towards interest payments. There’s NO guarantee that you’ll get SMI.
If you are a Council tenant and your boiler needs replacing or your roof is damaged or you have a leaking pipe or dodgy electrics or a blocked drainage or need a broken window replaced it's all FREE. Yet lots of council tenants find the money to pay for Sky TV, fags and booze... the reason i didnt let them in to work was for the last three christmas my house has been a building site and didnt want them in to start. the work was booked in by the council for the new year as they said they could not complet.and i do work and pay my way and where did you come up with i get this all for free na i dont im a scaff start work at 5.30 am and dont get home till late i aint no bum
donkus
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12:41pm Tue 26 Feb 13
the wall
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12:58pm Tue 26 Feb 13
donkus wrote:Very good saying I like it. I also stand by what I wrote. So what's your point.
clearly you have nothing better to do them come on here and talk down to people and before you judge someone take a step back and look at yourself. its like the old saying when point the finger there are three pointing back
Inspirationalady28
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1:02pm Tue 26 Feb 13
babyheart
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2:38pm Tue 26 Feb 13
the wall
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2:59pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Come on put up or shut up!
babyheart
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3:32pm Tue 26 Feb 13
the wall
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3:35pm Tue 26 Feb 13
babyheart wrote:What tha an echo?
thank you for your nice comments i dont take much notice of the wall i have seen him on meany sites on web and never had a good word to say about anyone but the old saying is it takes all kinds to make the world go around and his insults to say rude comments is when he does close his eyes he only sees his own reflection stareing back at him most prob doesnt have to meany freinds and its the only way he has any communication with anyone so im letting him not feel so alone chatting rubish most prob making his day thanks again for comments
Do tell me what other sites I post on under this name ?
Come on put up or shut up!”
babyheart
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4:31pm Tue 26 Feb 13
banjo8
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4:47pm Tue 26 Feb 13
the wall
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5:32pm Tue 26 Feb 13
babyheart wrote:OK so you haven't got any evidence of me on other sites then? Didn't think you would have, as you were lying.
to the wall as i said i feel as i have returned your comments for the past week and fed your habit of feeding of been insulting to others isnt it time you got a life and found one of your other sites to go on i dont want to waste my time speaking to someone that is so uncareing to others as i said lonesome must be sad so i do feel for you have a great eavning and a happy life doing what you do best
Mike Honcho
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6:38pm Tue 26 Feb 13
toomush2drink
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8:15pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Thats what us non council tenants have to do instead of going to the newspapers...
Inspirationalady28
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10:30pm Tue 26 Feb 13
toomush2drink wrote:I'm a non-council tenant and rent the property I live in which is in a private development, nothing whatsoever to do with the local authority. If this property ever got problems through no fault of my own, then it's down to my Landlord to deal with not me because I pay rent/council tax to live in a house that is fit for human habitation. When you buy a property, it is down to the buyer to have it surveyed to make sure it's structurally safe and sound and that there's no underlying problems. So if these people have a damp/mould problem and they are renting, then it's down to their Landlord/s to sort it, be it private or council!! They are within their rights to withhold payments of rent until such time the Landlords make good the property..but they must pay all monies in full as soon as the work is completed.
Why dont the tenants pay for a firm to come in and give some advice on treatment and the cause ?
Thats what us non council tenants have to do instead of going to the newspapers...
banjo8
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8:48am Wed 27 Feb 13
R_U_Serious
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8:50am Wed 27 Feb 13
jennysullivan2 wrote:You say the ceiling is "dripping again". I rent out a flat that had a major damp problem including water dripping off the ceiling to the point we thought the roof must be leaking. We even got a roofer in to check it but he pointed out the water dripping off the ceiling was clean water and a roof leak would be dirty. It turned out the problem causing all the damp and mould was condensation.
this is my flat they are talking about and if any body new what i was going through or went through you would know as quick as i washed the walls the mould came back ive had the council round i dont know how many times and each time i got told different things they have said there is something going on they have done all different jobs and it doesnt stop it the walls have just been washed down again a couple of days ago and the ceiling is driping once again i have enough living in a place i cant call home for me and my girls it smells and i have had about as much as i can take with keep decorating and replacing things if people are not in that sitaution i dont think you should comment if they dont know what they are going therough.
The tenant was drying wet clothing over radiators, had blocked up air vents and kept all the internal doors closed. We unblocked air vents, fitted additional vents to the internal doors, advised them against drying clothes on radiators and the problem went away.
Whilst this may not be the cause in your case, most damp problems are caused by the occupants and not the building.
toomush2drink
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9:34am Wed 27 Feb 13
banjo8 wrote:So the newsshopper is a damp control expert ?
If they've been to the landlord and tried their best to get it sorted the right way then theyve got every right to go to the NS.
If you want to get things sorted get in an expert to provide evidence to back up your case then you easily force them to sort it.
Im with RUSerious on this, a lot of damp is caused by how people live so if this isnt the case getting an independent expert in means it will prove its another problem causing the damp and thus the landlords problem to deal with..
Sometimes you have to accept that to get a happy outcome or get things moving means paying out first and claim it back later.
Its no different for someone who privately owns in a block with damp problems.
You need to identify the real cause of it.
Inspirationalady28
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9:57am Wed 27 Feb 13
banjo8
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10:15am Wed 27 Feb 13
Inspirationalady28
says...
10:24am Wed 27 Feb 13
banjo8
says...
12:35pm Wed 27 Feb 13
Inspirationalady28
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3:32pm Wed 27 Feb 13
banjo8 wrote:I'm not saying you did..I was speaking in general! I understood what you said.
I wasn't saying she needed permission. I think you misread what i said. It's just that some people go running to newspapers before they try to do anything for themselves. Some people, not this person, won't do anything for themsleves.
Wispy Wonder says...
1:27pm Thu 21 Feb 13