Glasgow dad of four in six-year mould battle at family home pleads for urgent action

Cleaner Anthony Evans claims he has had long-standing issues with mould and condensation at his home in Glasgow's Priesthill that he believes is now affecting the health of his children. 

Mr Evans said that Sanctuary Homes, who he rents the three bedroom property from, have visited his house on several occasions but claims they have failed to take action. He said: "All my kids are not well with it. My wee lassie has developed asthma since we've been in the house.

"She's been in hospital.They keep telling me I've not got dampness. They keep telling me it's condensation."

He claims he has tried everything to try and alleviate the issue himself. He added: "They've fobbed me off and told me I don't open my windows enough, I've got too much up against my walls, there's too many people breathing in my house. But I've done all that and every year it gets worse and worse. It started off in one room and now it's all over the house.

"You can smell it as soon as you come in the door. You can see it.

The family say they have spent thousands of pounds of re-decorating every year and the condensation is constantly ruining their furniture and decor. Mr Evans added: "There's mould on nearly every wall in my house.

"All my furniture is all mouldy. I've spent hundreds of pounds on it every year buying new beds, sofas, you name it. Everything the dampness has got a hold of I've had to throw out. When it comes all my wallpaper falls off, all the paint wears away.

"We must have spent about £4-5k over the last few years but my heart just isn't in it anymore. I just ask: what's the point?"

"It's not a very good situation my family and I are living in at the moment."

Mr Evans said that his wife, Elizabeth, has been taking on more shifts at work because they don't want to spend time in the house and it is affecting their mental health too.

When the Glasgow Times visited Mr Evans' home last week, there was clear damage to the furniture and he had to strip the wallpaper from the walls. 

Further pictures sent in by Mr Evans showed significant damage to dining chairs and beds.

A spokesperson for Sanctuary Scotland said: “We have visited this property on a number of occasions in the past 12 months and carried out work including mould treatments. We have also employed a specialist external contractor to carry out an inspection which did not identify any underlying rising damp issues.

“We are committed to offering the family support and advice and will arrange for a further inspection to be carried out as soon as possible to investigate what options are available to improve the heating and ventilation in their home