A woman with "worsening" asthma has criticised Havering Council over its handling of a persistent mould and damp problem in her home.
Brooke Forsyth, who says she also suffers from borderline personality disorder, anxiety and ADHD, has been living in Hillrise Road, Collier Row for two years.
She has told the Recorder about facing the mould problem shortly after moving in when she said a pump failure caused flooding in her home.
Brooke said: “They (the council) keep saying they will send someone to come and do something, but they don’t."
But a Havering Council spokesperson said it is in the process of resolving condensation found in the property.
22-year-old Brooke told the Recorder that she has been referred to a lung clinic as her asthma is "getting worse".
She claimed she has lost "large amounts of furniture" because of the mould and damp.
"They (the council) have not helped me at all, they just left me in here to deal with it all," she added.
Read more: Orchard Village, Rainham flats left with no lift for weeks
A council spokesperson called the mould problem "unpleasant" and said: “Unfortunately this is the case in millions of properties around the country, especially when temperatures are cold outside."
Some condensation was found at the property, the spokesperson added, and they suggested Brooke took steps to lower the risk of mould growth.
“These steps can include properly ventilating the property, wiping down condensation from walls and windows, and not drying clothes indoors where possible”.
Brooke said she does not dry her clothes indoors and has a washing line that she puts on the balcony.
She claims the water leaks through cracks in her windows and this causes some of the damp.
Brooke accused the council of "just trying to give excuses” and said she is now considering involving a solicitor if there is no improvement in the situation in the coming weeks.
She also claimed the home had a rat infestation in the kitchen for more than ten months.
The council spokesperson said this issue had been addressed, adding: “We realise that this has been a really difficult time for Ms Forsyth."
In February, the Recorder reported residents in Romford block Mountbatten House were beset by constant mould.
Havering Council said at the time: “Mould, when it occurs in properties, is a significant concern and is likely to be exacerbated by the current cost-of-living crisis."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here