West Bridgford man with cancer fears damp home is worsening health

David Wright said it was warmer to sit in his car with a flask than in his home

A man living with cancer claims damp and mould in his Nottinghamshire home are exacerbating his health problems.

David Wright lives in a Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) property in West Bridgford.

The 56-year-old said problems in his home with damp, mould and cold conditions were worsening his health.

MTVH said it had visited the property "many" times and said it was "sorry to see problems are still continuing", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Problem after problem'

The not-for-profit housing association said it had replaced heaters, undertaken mould prevention works and installed "high-capacity condensation control fans" since Mr Wright raised the issues and would be replacing the front door in the next eight weeks.

Mr Wright, who also has the lung condition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and angina, said his front door and bedroom window did not fit properly, letting cold air into the property, prompting him to buy a bed so he could sleep in the living area.

He moved into the property, an over-55s accommodation in Rugby Road, in June 2022 and said he had "problem after problem" with the property.

He said: "I feel like I'm climbing a mountain and there's no top to it.

"I have to go and sit in my car in the day with a flask because it's warmer. I shouldn't be doing this in the 21st Century.

"Throughout my cancer treatment, I've been breathing in mould and I keep getting chest infections."

The housing association said its priority was ensuring residents had a warm and safe home

He added he was told during a cancer support meeting "how important it was for [him] to keep warm".

Rushcliffe Borough Council said it also stepped in, issuing the housing association with schedule of work to resolve the issues in November 2023 and now expected to receive "weekly updates on how they are progressing".

Mr Wright claimed the work had not yet been completed.

Max Curtis, director of corporate affairs at MTVH, said "As a not-for-profit housing association, our focus and priority is absolutely on our residents and ensuring that they have a warm, safe and dry home.

"We believe the heating may be underused, especially during the winter months.

"We understand there is a serious cost-of-living crisis. We can provide financial support."