Mould at man's Swansea home so bad he faces moving into van for winter

Mould at man's Swansea home so bad he faces moving into van for winter

David Barlow, a 65-year-old man, made the decision to move into a motorhome parked on his driveway this winter due to the damp and mould issues plaguing his leasehold home in Murton, Swansea. Despite purchasing the property in November 2023 for his retirement enjoyment near the beautiful beaches of the Gower Peninsula, David’s home has been marred by a “horrendous black stripe” in the lounge that appeared shortly after he moved in. This situation has caused him distress and prevented him from unpacking fully to protect his belongings from potential damage.

FirstPort, the property managers, initially attributed the problem to faulty cavity wall insulation installed by British Gas over a decade ago. However, Osborne Energy, which handles British Gas’ disputes, suggested that general maintenance issues may also play a role in the situation. David has expressed his frustration with the lack of resolution, revealing that the issue has taken a toll on his mental health, leading to prescribed medication to cope with the stress and anxiety caused by the ongoing problems with his home.

Despite efforts to escalate the matter through tribunals and complaints procedures, David feels like he has hit a dead-end in finding a solution. He has described the communication from FirstPort as poor and highlighted the delays and conflicting messages that have left him feeling neglected and in the dark about the status of his home. The continuous setbacks have forced him to consider extreme measures, such as living in a motorhome on his property if the situation does not improve by the end of November.

In response to the situation, a spokesperson for FirstPort acknowledged the challenges David has faced and assured that they are working diligently to resolve the issue promptly. They revealed that an independent survey confirmed the faulty cavity wall insulation installed by British Gas, leading them to pursue a group claim to secure a cost-effective solution for all residents affected by the same problem. Despite the ongoing efforts to address the issue, David remains hopeful for a positive outcome that will allow him to finally enjoy his home and put down roots in the place he planned to retire

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