Evicted mother who felt 'hopeless' finds new home

Chloe Bloomer and her two daughters were evicted from their home after she had reported an issue with mould in the property

A woman who became homeless when she was evicted, after reporting a mould issue, has found a new home for her family.

Chloe Bloomer, 31, said she felt "hopeless" when her landlord handed her a section 21 notice in March 2023.

The Bournemouth mother-of-two said she and her partner became street homeless after a battle with her landlord.

Now, she has found a private home to rent for her family and is urging other renters to be careful.

Ms Bloomer raised issues about the poor condition of her privately rented home, as she had concerns of the impact it could have on her now four-year-old daughter, who has type 1 diabetes.

She explained: "The property we were living in was damp, mouldy and there were several leaks that happened.

"I emailed the agent that was dealing with the property for the landlords, and I just felt like I was knocking on a brick wall."

Ms Bloomer told the agent she was getting someone in to evaluate the property, at which point they said they would visit themselves.

She continued: "They said in order to correct the problems they'd have to do intrusive, intense work, so they had to issue section 21 because it wouldn't be suitable for us to live in the property."

Ms Bloomer said she then packed up her belongings and went to the local council offices with her family and waited seven hours to be seen.

Speaking to BBC Radio Dorset, she said: "It's heart-wrenching, you start to feel a little ball of anger because you know it's not your fault, but you're hopeless, it's dire straights at that point.

"Life has to still go on, especially as a parent, but it did strike me how this effects everyone, if you're renting, you are at risk."

Ms Bloomer received help from Citizen's Advice and homelessness charity Shelter and found a three-bedroom private home in March in Springbourne, Dorset.

She added: "You think if you get made homeless, if you've got children, a job, a deposit - you're safe.

"I thought it would be such an easy process and the council would help us, but it goes a lot deeper than that. I was very naive, I spent a lot of time crying thinking how I was going to get through the next day."

Ms Bloomer said: “I had butterflies in my stomach and a lump in my throat with the realisation our homeless journey was coming to an end. It was a humbling moment."