A COLLINGBOURNE Kingston woman has hit out at her housing association landlord over the mould and damp in her house, which she says is affecting her and her daughter’s health and has been made worse since part of the house was wrapped in tarpaulin.

Ever since Clare Mills, 41, moved into the home at South View, Brunton, in August 2015, she has complained to Aster Housing Association about the house’s problems with mould and its cold and musty conditions.

In an attempt to sort out the problem, builders wrapped tarpaulin around parts of her house last month, but she says this has only made matters worse for her and her 16-year-old daughter Bronwyn.

Although Aster says repairing the house would be too costly, and has offered to move her to another home, she wants to stay in the village and take action.

“I have repeatedly requested that they do something but they said they will not fix it as it requires too much work. It is a joke,” said Ms Mills, who works at Savernake Hospital as a healthcare assistant.

“There are holes in the roof and cracks in the walls, the damp situation is dire, they have wrapped tarpaulin around parts of my house with scaffolding, which has made it worse. They do not care about me or my daughter.

“They have also blocked the windows so I cannot open them. If there is a fire, then we are in big trouble.Many of my neighbours and friends are disgusted at how I have been treated.

“What is worse is that we keep getting ill. My daughter has a sinus infection and we cough all the time. Aster have admitted that this is not fit for purpose but I do not want to move.

“I want to stay and I want them to fix the house I live in now and be compensated for everything I have gone through. I have threatened legal action, contacted environmental health, but nothing has come of it.

“Some of the walls are in an awful state with the mould and damp. The paint has been washed away and we pretty much pray there will be no rain. Also they still ask for full rent, which is ridiculous.”

Ms Mills says Aster has offered to move her to a bungalow in Burbage that is too small.

“The place they have shown me is tiny. This is causing me a lot of anxiety. I am appalled by how I have been treated,” she added.

An Aster spokesman said: “We understand Ms Mills’ frustration and we are doing all we can to find an alternative property within the Marlborough area which meets her specific needs.”

“Following a full assessment of the property we have taken the commercial decision not to carry out further repairs and instead will work with Ms Mills to find a suitable alternative property within the Marlborough area.”