A mother says a widespread black mould infestation has made her flat “unfit for human habitation” and her five-year-old son is now severely ill. Sinead Pope, 24, has been in the flat in Brighton for four years with son Aziyah, five, and her partner, Takuna, 24. The family moved into the property in November 2020 and said their torment began three weeks later when mould began to spread “everywhere and in every room”.
The flat in Acacia Court, Herbert Road, Brighton, is privately rented through Brighton estate agent Martin and Co. Sinead is now battling to get emergency accommodation. The flat, in Acacia Court, is covered in black mould (Image: The Argus) She said: “No one should be living here and my son’s health has been deteriorating ever since.
He was diagnosed with asthma last year, it's been an ongoing issue. "We're really concerned because now he has enlarged lymph nodes where his body is constantly fighting illness from the mould. He’s being referred to a specialist as we’re concerned that he could have a life-threatening health issue such as cancer.
"I had contacted agency Martin & Co and was told I needed to have windows open, heating on low constantly, run dehumidifier, clean the mould and was even asked to get a tumble dryer." An inspection by a Brighton and Hove City Council environmental health officer in September said there was “no external defects” and the mould was due to condensation. After a meeting with the estate agents in December Sine.