A Harold Hill resident said she feels she is “failing as a mother” as she battles mould in her home which she thinks is making her daughter unwell. 

Charlotte Smith, 30, moved into the property two years ago. 

Prior to that, she said it was managed by social services to provide accommodation for adults.

Since moving in, Charlotte has “tried to make it as homely as possible” but said she has been unable to rid the property of mould. 

When problems first arose last year, Charlotte said she got in touch with her then-local councillor, Jan Sargent, following which someone from the council came round with a spray intended to prevent the spread of the mould. 

However, since then, Charlotte said it has kept coming back, with her bathroom, bedroom and living room particularly affected. 

Romford Recorder: Mould has been growing in several rooms in Charlotte's Harold Hill homeMould has been growing in several rooms in Charlotte's Harold Hill home (Image: Charlotte Smith)

A council spokesperson said it has advised Charlotte about ways in which she can reduce the condensation in her home, and Charlotte herself said she has been told putting carpet down would help. 

But she claimed the mould in her bathroom has prevented her doing so and while she has put down tiles in her living room, it is now just growing through them. 

Charlotte said the presence of the mould in her bathroom has made her wary when washing her three-year-old daughter, as she believes it is making her ill. 

“I don’t really like bathing my little girl in there,” she said, adding: “It's gotten a lot worse recently."

Cllr Paul McGeary, Havering’s cabinet member for housing, told the Recorder that when officers recently visited Charlotte’s home, “we discovered that part of the mould issues in the bathroom have been caused by a leak from the flat above".

He added: "We will now arrange an appointment to redecorate the bathroom, fix any blown plaster and ensure the damaged is properly repaired. 

“Given the age of the property, we have agreed to install thermal board on the two external walls, as well as remove a built-in cupboard that is hindering airflow, which should help to reduce mould growth.” 

Romford Recorder: Cllr Paul McGearyCllr Paul McGeary (Image: Havering Council)

He said the council had advised Charlotte of ways in which she can reduce the condensation in her home, such as by ventilating the property.

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Charlotte explained the issues are “taking a mental toll on me”. 

“It’s ridiculous. I feel like I’m failing as a mother,” she said.