Inverness couple fear mouldy flat is danger to baby’s health
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AN Inverness family believes their health fears are being ignored by Highland Council.
The family-of-five claim they are being forced to live in a damp and insect-infested council flat, and do not know what to do.
Wesley Taylor-Marriott accepts that the pandemic is a priority, but says he reported the first signs of problems more than six months ago.
The 45-year-old said his daily tasks include trying to clean mould from his premature daughter’s crib. They also have insects crawling on furniture and carpets.
“I appreciate these are challenging and difficult times and there may be bigger concerns for the council right now, however my problems date back to August 2019 and I feel I am getting nowhere,” said the deputy manager for Inverness pub Johnny Foxes.
This time last year Mr Taylor-Marriott and his partner Rebecca Lenane (25) moved into a ground floor flat in Benula Road, along with his son Connor (14) and daughter Liya (11). Their baby girl Harper was born five weeks early in December, weighing just 3lbs and 13oz.
They noticed mould in the living room and a bedroom in August.
Mr Taylor-Marriott explained: “After numerous phone calls and emails it was not until late November before anyone came out to see the problems and said they would send someone else to come and investigate. This did not happen.
“After Harper was born the health visitor came to visit and we made reference to the mould and she told us it could be dangerous to Harper, and she would write a letter to the council explaining this.”
In January, a maintenance worker visited the property at around the same time the couple reported the insects. A month later they were told the mould was believed to be condensation, so followed guidance on ventilation and a contractor arrived to treat the insect infestation.
“But neither the mould or the insects have gone – it is a nightmare,” said Mr Taylor-Marriott, who has raised the matter with local councillors.
“I just do not feel that anyone is listening. I am concerned that if Harper develops any respiratory problems due to mould, which is likely to happen, that she would need to be hospitalised and as you can imagine, in the current climate, this is both worrying and distressing for parents of a premature baby.”
A council spokesman said: “We are not able to comment on the individual circumstances of our tenants. However, we can confirm that we are aware of the case and have been dealing with the issues involved under our normal procedures.
“I can also confirm that we are currently dealing with this case under the council’s complaints procedure and will be replying to the couple directly about the matters they have raised.”
