Auchinleck mum claims damp home is affecting son's health

Dionne Mcatee lives in the property with her partner and son, Kailer, who has suffered from a series of serious health issues since moving into the house in March this year.

Concerned Dionne said she spoke to the previous occupant of the council house, who said that dampness has been a problem in the place for a number of years.

Dionne is worried it's affecting her son's health (Image: Submitted) East Ayrshire Council said that an inspection took place in June and no mould or dampness was found.

However, the local authority confirmed that a follow-up visit led to Dionne being given a hygrometer - which helps to read moisture levels in the air.

As well as this, the council said: "Colleagues will continue to work with the tenant to provide support and advice where appropriate."

Dionne said it has been a nightmare dealing with the apparent issues at the home, forcing the family to sleep in their living room.

The trio have been forced to sleep in their living room. (Image: Submitted) She said: “I contacted the council about it and they sent somebody out and they had a look around and used their machine to see the dampness and said there was only one area that has damp.

“So that doesn’t explain why my house is stinking of it.

“They told me to keep my windows open, which is great advice for coming into the winter. My wee boy has a heart condition and doesn’t keep well, so I need to keep the house warm.

“The dampness is in his bedroom and we’re all sleeping in the living room, because of the condition of the rest of the place."

The issue has led to Dionne, her son and her partner sleeping in their living room (Image: Submitted) Dionne added: “Me wee boy has been ill constantly since we moved in. If he’s not ill, then I’m ill. And if it’s not me then it’s my partner and he’s got COPD, so it’s not helping any of us living in these conditions.

“I was having an inspector coming out, but that was for the walls in the toilet that's crumbling. My water pressure keeps dropping, I’ve got a leak in the radiator at the bottom of the stairs and my toilet one.

“It’s got to the point where they’ll have to rip up the toilet floor to sort the pipes and it just doesn’t help the overall living state here.

Dionne is worried about the impact it could have on son Kailer's health. (Image: Submitted) “My boy is 14-months-old. He’s had open heart surgery, then three days after his first birthday we found out he had bacterial meningitis, so we don’t know if that’s been caused by the issues in here.

“It’s a constant worry for me, and I just want it sorted for us all.

“I’ve put my concerns about this place to the council on numerous occasions and I was told I wouldn’t get a damp inspector until the end of November. It’s just not good enough when they’re still expecting rent every month."

The apparent damp issues at the home (Image: Submitted) A council spokesperson added: "East Ayrshire Council received a report of dampness from the tenant on June 3 this year, an inspection took place on June 17, and at that time no mould or dampness was identified within the property.

"No further reports have been received specifically in relation to dampness since that date.

"A survey has also been commissioned for a specialist contractor to fit a PIV fan, which will assist with ventilation within the property."