Inverness cancer man's fears over damp
A young Inverness cancer patient fears his recovery could be hampered by damp and mould in his flat.
Stewart Sinclair is undergoing chemotherapy as an outpatient at Raigmore Hospital having undergone surgery for testicular cancer three months ago.
But the 27-year-old is concerned the condition of the one-bedroom flat he rents from Highland Council could impact on his health.
Mr Sinclair, a casual labourer, lives with his 23-year-old girlfriend, Rachel Hendry, a relief support carer, in the upper-floor flat in Rosehaugh Road, South Kessock.
"There was dampness before and the bedroom was done about two years ago but it has come back tenfold," said Mr Sinclair, who moved into the flat six years ago after previously living in homeless accommodation.
There are also some problems with mould in the living room and in the bathroom.
The couple maintain they keep the windows open during the day to allow air to circulate but to no avail. They also try to keep their home looking clean and spotless.
Mr Sinclair believed the problems stemmed from the flat’s outside walls. He said council workmen replastered the bedroom walls and put in a new ceiling and insulation about two years ago.
"There must be a lot of moisture getting in through the outside walls," he said.
"I know it would cost a lot of money to sort out. These houses were built a long time ago.
"But I don’t think we are the only ones with this problem. We just seem to get fobbed off."
Miss Hendry was worried the damp could make Mr Sinclair more vulnerable to infections and ailments while his immune system was weakened due to the chemotherapy.
She also speculated that the condition of the flat was also impacting on her health.
"I seem to get colds every month and cannot get rid of them," she said.
"I don’t know whether it is do with the dampness but my head gets so sore.
The couple acknowledged they are currently in rent arrears amounting to about £1400 but are hoping to reach an agreement with the council to resolve the issue.
"The scare with the cancer has given me a second chance in life," Mr Sinclair said.
"I have two more chemotherapy sessions and hopefully that will be it."
Highland Council workmen visited the flat earlier this week.
"The property was previously inspected in 2013 and advice given to the tenants," a spokeswoman said.
"More recently, housing officers have been in contact with the tenants, and an inspection has been made, required repairs identified and actions taken."
She urged housing tenants with concerns about their homes to contact the council’s services centre on 01349 886606 or use the housing repair online form at www.highland.gov.uk/report.
