A MUM says her two daughters have endured repeated hospital visits due to mould in her council house.
Tia Patmore, 22, moved into the two-bed home owned by Colchester Borough Homes in September 2022.
Two years on, in July 2024, Tia noticed mould in the kitchen, damp in the hallway and in the children’s bedrooms.
She says her two children – aged two and one – have been in and out of hospital seven times since.
And claims doctors have told her it’s “absolutely” because of the mould in her home.
Both of her children now rely on inhalers and use them multiple times a day, when they struggle to breathe.
The mum-of-two has paid £400 to get the mould professionally cleaned and get her kitchen repainted – from her £800 monthly budget benefits.
Tia claims she has complained to the council multiple times over the last year and nothing has been done.
The full-time mum, from Colchester, Essex, whose rent is £504 month said: “I feel like I am failing my children massively.
“I feel like I can’t keep them safe at home. I am angry, upset, and I have been failed.
“I don’t know what to do, do I leave my home and move back in with my mum?
“I don’t know if I can live in that house anymore.
“It is really difficult to get my head around that both my children need inhalers to breathe.
Tia said the mould began on skirting boards in the hallway and then appeared in the bedrooms.
Her daughter was admitted to the hospital in July 2024, aged five months old, for a chesty cough and respiratory issues and was put on antibiotics “This was days after I had reported the mould issue,” she said.
In November 2024, Tia was back to Colchester Hospital with both of her children, who were struggling with their breathing and had virus symptoms.
Tia said: “My eldest daughter was given a chest x-ray and had blood taken.
“My youngest child was put on a nebulizer – a drug delivery device used to administer medication into the lungs – they were both displaying virus symptoms.
“My eldest daughter was sent home with an inhaler which she used at least four to five times a day.
“My youngest was put on a course of antibiotics which worked but the cough just comes back again.”
In January 2025 her eldest daughter was given a steroid inhaler.
Tia claims that doctors told her that her children’s symptoms were a direct result of the mould they were exposed to.
Tia said: “Every appointment I have been to, whether that be at the hospital or with the doctor, I have made them aware of my situation.
“I went into the hospital the other night with my youngest daughter, I asked the doctor if their symptoms were caused by mould and she said absolutely.
“It shows that I am not being a worried young mum and it is the mould.
“Their symptoms only started when the mould came.”
Tia said the last year has been an “emotional rollercoaster” and she is now scared to spend too much time in the house.
She hopes that the council can fix the problem, and if not, she hopes she can be rehomed.
“They need to fix the issue, otherwise I am not going to find out if mould is the true cause of my children’s health problems or if it is an underlying condition,” she said.
“If it is not fixed, they are going to either have to rehouse me or sort the issue fast.
“They can’t keep us in a place like this.”
A spokesperson for Colchester Borough Homes said: “A mould inspection was requested on 30 January 2025, and our specialist damp consultants attempted to contact Ms. Patmore multiple times.
“However, due to a change in her mobile number, they were unable to reach her until updated contact details were provided on 12 March.
“The inspection is now scheduled for 26 March. Additionally, a mould treatment order was raised on 7 March, and the work is set to take place on 18 March. This visit will also include an inspection of the exposed pipework near the boiler.
“On 14 March, the Head of Repairs and Maintenance visited the property and identified a void between two wall units that lacks adequate ventilation, which has contributed to mould forming on a cold external wall. This assessment will inform any further necessary work.
“Ms. Patmore’s concerns are being addressed through our formal complaints process, and we remain in contact with her to ensure the matter is resolved.”
An expert’s guide to removing mould and repainting walls
Not only does mould look ugly, but if it’s not treated properly it can impact your health.
Ronseal shared its guide to removing, fixing and preventing mould infestations.
You should only remove mould if it’s caused by condensation and covers an area smaller than one metre squared. If the mould is caused by sewage or contaminated water, call in a professional.
Before you start, wear goggles, long rubber gloves and a mask that covers your nose and mouth to protect you from the mould spores. Open the windows for added ventilation but keep the doors shut to avoid spores spreading.
How to remove mould from walls:
- Fill a bucket with water and mild detergent like washing up liquid. Or use a dedicated mould remover to make quick work of it.
- Dip a cloth in water and wipe the mould off the wall. Don’t brush it as this can release mould spores.
- Once you’ve removed the mould, use a dry rag to remove the rest of the moisture.
- Throw away the cloth and vacuum the room to make sure you’ve removed all of the spores.
How to paint over mould:
Never ever paint over mould without killing it first. It won’t tackle the source of the problem and will make it look worse.
Once you’ve treated the affected area, use a specialist anti-mould paint to finish the job.
Damp stains can be painted over with a suitable paint like Ronseal’s 6 Year Anti Mould Paint, so long as the damp has dried and the source has been treated. Some damp sealants can be applied directly onto a wet surface, so check the instructions before you begin.
