The damp had been so bad Shauni-Leigh from Plaistow has also had to throw away several possessions, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

Shauni-Leigh Tyson (with "act now" placard) at the London Renters Union protest — Shauni-Leigh Tyson (with “act now” placard) at the London Renters Union protest

A family living in social housing in Plaistow are pleading with Newham Council not to evict them.

Shauni-Leigh Tyson, her four children and her partner Adam, are due to be evicted on 23rd January due to unpaid rent.

But they say “extremely bad damp and mould” caused health issues that affected their ability to pay.

The council says it is working with the family to find an “equitable solution” to avoid eviction.

Shauni-Leigh moved into her home in Plaistow in 2014, when she was housed there by the council.

However, she says the house soon developed damp and mould problems that affected her family’s health, including her partner Adam’s ability to work.

Shauni-Leigh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “It’s affected one of my children’s health to the point where she needed a pump, steroids and anti-histamines.”

She added that the damp had been so bad she’d also had to throw away several possessions.

Shauni-Leigh said: “I’ve had to chuck away two sofas, bedding, books, bags – anything you can think of that is related to the home, I’ve had to chuck away. Curtains, clothes – a lot of clothes, mattresses, bed sheets.”

The London Renters’ Union, which is supporting her case, says the mould also affected Adam’s ability to do his manual job. It says that this, combined with other benefits problems, left the family unable to pay rent for a period.

The union also claims the family complained to the council about the damp and mould “repeatedly” but that it wasn’t fixed until September this year.

The council says it completed the repairs in a “timely manner, as and when we were able to access the property”.

Mould at Shauni-Leigh's property — Mould at Shauni-Leigh’s property

However, the council issued Shauni-Leigh an eviction notice two months later – with a date set for 23rd January.

London Renters Union says the family agreed a repayment plan with the council but that the threat of eviction remains.

It has called on the council “call off the family’s eviction in time for Christmas”.

A council spokesperson told the LDRS the authority is still working with Shauni-Leigh’s family to find a solution that will halt the eviction.

The spokesperson said: “We have been working with the family to find an equitable solution for the rent arrears to be cleared.

“If this is agreed, and the family continue to abide by the terms of the rental agreement, they will be allowed to continue residing at the property and will not face eviction.”

They added: “Our records show all work was completed in a timely manner, as and when we were able to access the property.

“However, we must remind tenants, that in the event of a dispute with your landlord, you must still pay rent – or keep it to one side until the issue is resolved.”

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