Bolton: Mum says she waited years to sort damp house out

Ursula Ann Beamond, 73, explained that she first noticed issues in 2018, and that when the weather was bad, this made conditions in the house on Tattersall Avenue in Johnson Fold worse.

Ursula suffers from arthritis, IBS, and brittle bones, and says that this has had a huge impact on her physical health and mental health.

She says that when she approached Bolton at Home that they ‘weren’t helpful to resolve the situation’.

However, the housing organisation say that they ‘have been unable to complete a repair due to a variety of access issues’.

Ursula said: “The house is making us have health issues.

“I am not so good in the night.

The is the extent of the damage to Ursula's home

“When we had some bad weather, we found it coming through.

“It’s getting us down all together and not doing me any good.

“I don’t know how they can let us live in a damp house.

“I am disgusted with them.”

Her daughter Elizabeth Pritchard added: “Things have gotten really bad.

“My mum can’t sleep in bed at night because it smells really bad.

“We shouldn’t be in here now because it’s not fit to live in.”

Ursula lives there with her daughter and granddaughter, and she says they are all impacted by the conditions of the house.

This has meant that the family have had to replace some shoes and clothes, and other household items.

Elizabeth added: “It’s in bad condition and wants knocking down really.

“It can’t be painted over because it will just come back through.”

The impact of damp in the house

Elizabeth also says that her mental health has been so bad because of this she hasn’t known where to turn to or let friends in their house.

She added: “It’s been difficult, especially with Covid and not seeing people for so long.

“We go out to get stuff, but we are still a bit scared.

“So, it’s getting my anxiety down as well.”

Bolton at Home have since spoken to Ursula and say they are now ‘working to establish a new date to try and resolve the issue’.

Richard Hargreaves, Bolton at Home’s group director of property maintenance, said: “We have spoken to Mrs Beamond and offered to come out and inspect the issues of damp in her home.

 “Since the initial report of damp, we have attempted to inspect each time but have been unable to complete a repair due to a variety of access issues.

“That said, we are now working to establish a new date to try and resolve the issue.”

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