Reading mum's mould stricken flat still not fixed

Last October, the local democracy reporting service (LDRS) visited the home of Elaine Parry-Taylor, who’s living in a council flat in Corwen Road, Tilehurst.

At that time, Ms Parry-Taylor was found to be living in a flat stricken with mould, with her complaining about freezing conditions and being left without heating and hot water.

Now, five months on, the mould on the ceilings remain and Ms Parry-Taylor has resorted to using her oven in an effort to heat the flat up.

READ MORE: Reading mum's fury at council over mouldy living conditions

Although she has been offered refurbishment for her mould-stricken bathroom, she’s arguing that the ceiling and roofing is structurally unsafe.

Ms Parry-Taylor said: “It’s actually really bad in here quite a lot of the time.

“I’ve been really freezing and I’ve sleepless nights. It’s been a disaster.

“And how can they do a refurbishment without rectifying the mould? How can they gloss over that?”

To try and help with insulation, she and her friends have taken makeshift measures to prevent wind coming in from the windows by blocking them with cardboard, polystyrene and a sleeping bag.

The makeshift insulation that Elaine Parry is using to try and prevent draft from her living room window. She has also complained that the wall is inadequately fortified with cardboard. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Ms Parry-Taylor was under the impression that the council would pay all the bills, and she would pay £90.18 a week for maintenance.

But she still does not have gas or hot water.

She said: “They’re still not doing the essential stuff, which is the structure that is probably damaged, the rafters are probably rotten and laden with water.

“I haven’t been able to get health and safety round to say ‘come on, this is not on, you don’t live like this’ for all the disastrous mess they’ve made of it.”

She has also raised fears that light fixtures are unsafe.

When the LDRS visited her home, we saw an exposed wiring for the lightswitch in the kitchen; and she is also worried that water is pooling around her kitchen lightbulb.

An exposed light switch in the kitchen. Elaine Parry-Taylor says the exposed wiring is hazardous. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Ms Parry-Taylor says that she has been trying to move out since November 2020, in an effort to reunite with her adult daughter under one roof, but cannot do so unless she gets a two-bedroom property.

In a devastating verdict over the lack of assistance she has received from the council, Ms Parry-Taylor said: “I’m sick to my back teeth of these reprobates.

“It’s not acceptable, it’s wicked treatment, and I want it sorted.”

The LDRS has brought Ms Parry-Taylor’s issues to Reading Borough Council for the second time.

A spokesperson said: “Reading Borough Council has tried to provide electric heaters to Ms Parry-Taylor, but she would only accept one of these.

“The case has been referred to Winter Watch who have also visited the property several times to explain that she needs to pay for gas.

“The systems are ready to provide heat to Ms Parry-Taylor when she has paid for this.

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“A contractor has attempted to engage with Ms Parry-Taylor several times in relation to tackling the mould issue, but without success.

“Unfortunately the mould issues cannot be rectified whilst Ms Parry-Taylor is not keeping the flat warm or arranging entry for workers to deal with the problem.

“Reading Borough Council has this week written to Ms Parry-Taylor regarding a joint visit between the council, Housing Officer and contractor about gaining access to resolve the issue, and is continuing to examine ways in which it can support Ms Parry despite the barriers staff are facing in helping her.

“If Ms Parry-Taylor submits a Housing Register Application to the council’s allocation team demonstrating her need for a two bed property, her request will be assessed in line with the council’s allocations procedure.”