Mum-of-six living in mould-ridden council house feels like 'squatter in own home'

A mum-of-six living in a mould-ridden council house has said she feels 'like a squatter in her own home' following months of repair delays.

Charlotte Morris, 35, has been living with major mould issues in her four-bedroom home in Basildon, Essex for the last 18 months.

Ms Morris and her six children have to sleep in two cramped rooms - and have lost clothing, furniture and personal possessions.

She has called on her landlord, Basildon Council, to resolve the issue or move the family after more than a year of delays and disorganisation.

A Basildon Council spokesperson said they were supporting Ms Morris.

Ms Morris said: “I can’t keep living like this.

"The ceiling is bowed, the house stinks of mould – it’s like squatting in my own home.

"At this point, I haven’t slept in my own bedroom for a year and have six children all sleeping in two rooms of the house.

“I’m so scared for my children’s health. My daughter is always getting ill and I feel as though I’m constantly going back and forth to the doctor.”

According to Ms Morris, the problem with mould in her home stems from an unrepaired roof leak which is now spreading to other rooms of the house.

She added that she is suffering from depression that she attributes to the ongoing stress of the situation.

Ms Morris said that officers and surveyors from Basildon Council have visited the home on several occasions and acknowledged the extent of the damage.

She said: “They’ll come and look, but getting someone to fix it seems impossible – every booked in date is cancelled or delayed."

The extent of the problem has prompted Ms Morris to ask for the council to relocate her family to a new property.