Inverness family still living in 'disgusting' conditions in Highland Council flat
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A family who previously complained about conditions in the flat where they live with their premature baby say the situation is getting worse.
Wesley Taylor-Marriott (45) and his partner Rebecca Lenane (25) moved into a ground floor flat in the city’s Benula Road in May last year, along with his son Connor (14) and daughter Liya (11). Their baby girl Harper was born five weeks early in December.
They claim they are being forced to live in a damp and insect-infested council two-bedroomed flat, and do not know what to do.
But despite raising concerns with all their Inverness Central ward councillors – and highlighting their plight in the media last month – they say only Councillor Emma Roddick has had the good manners to reply with an update on the situation.
Mr Taylor-Marriott accepts that the pandemic is a priority, but says he reported the first signs of problems more than seven months ago and his daily tasks include trying to clean mould from Harper’s crib.
The deputy manager for Inverness pub Johnny Foxes said: “The housing situation was less than ideal when I first contacted councillors.
“I have now done what was requested by the council and have taken a dehumidifier and had it on for almost a fortnight. However, I am looking at two new places on the living room carpet that mould has started to appear.
“All I want is to be acknowledged and to get this problem resolved. It is now having an impact on everyone’s health in my home.
“I don’t understand how anyone can feel this property is an adequate living situation for a family, let alone a premature baby.”
Cllr Roddick said she had raised the matter with council officers, adding: “The couple have also been put in touch with the housing options team to look at alternatives that may be available to them.”
Related article: Couple fear mouldy flat is danger to baby’s health
Click here for more council news
