Damp problem leaves Horsham resident disappointed with housing association

Raymond Turner, 66, complained to Saxon Weald back in November about a ‘severe damp’ problem at his home which had left the walls in his bedroom and kitchen black.

The County Times published an article on the problem in which the association said they would be helping Mr Turner deal with the issue.

But he said since the article very little had been done.

Mr Turner has spent the past eight weeks in hospital.

He said the association had been trying to contact him while he was in hospital but has not heard from them since he left more than a week ago.

He said: “They sent me a letter through the door and they kept calling me whilst I was in hospital. I have been out a week and still no-one has contacted me.

“I phoned them up just now and they said they would look into it. I come out of hospital and I come back to this. It is not fair.”

Mr Turner added he was not able to deal with the damp himself due to a knee problem and due to the severity of the problem he spends most nights sleeping in his chair as it is too damp to sleep in his bedroom.

He continued: “It is black in the bathroom and it is black in the bedroom.

“I don’t want to catch pneumonia. I pay my rent and everything on time.’’

However, a spokesperson for Saxon Weald said due to Mr Turner being in hospital they had been unable to carry out any work in the property and added they would be contacting him now he was out to try and get the problem resolved.

The spokesperson said: “After our surveyor visited in November, there were three bits of work required.

“The first was to rake out some brickwork which had been affected by water ingress and re-point it. This has been done.

“The other two were to check the extractor fans and repair them if necessary, and to do an overhaul of the heating system.

“We have made appointments and tried to gain access for these two jobs, but have been unable to get into the property.

“We would not have been able to carry out any work for the eight weeks Mr Turner was in hospital as, obviously, we have not had access.

“Now Mr Turner is home, we will try again to book the work in. Once this work is complete, we can treat the mould and redecorate.”