A SOCIAL housing tenant has expressed her frustration at the ongoing damp and mould problem in her home.

Lyn Dover, 50, has lived in a property managed by Teign Housing in Exminster with her four teenage children for three years.

Since she moved in she said there has been damp and mould which has become worse over recent months.

She is one of 5,331 people currently in social housing in Teignbridge. A further 3,935 are on the waiting list with Teignbridge District Council.

"There has always been a mould problem in the house but mainly around the windows, but now it's spreading," Lyn said.

"I spent the whole week between Christmas and new year trying to get rid of all the mould which has now spread to my bookcase. I had the windows open all week.

"I know the difference between condensation, which the housing association keep trying to tell me it is, and mould – and this is mould."

Mrs Dover said she has approached the housing association on a number of occasions.

The charity's property services manager confirmed that a structural survey had been conducted on the property and "low-level condensation" was detected.

"There are cracks in the ceiling, walls and floors as well," Mrs Dover said. "The association acknowledged that there is movement and advised me it was okay and to put filler in them.

"They sent a housing officer out to have a look and take pictures but then nothing was done.

"They sent a surveyor out in November, but since his report was done more cracks have appeared."

Mrs Dover said she was concerned about the effect the mould problem was having on her health, and her children: "I suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and this is not helping. I'm concerned for my children's health. And when my daughter goes to bed she is frightened that the ceiling will fall in.

"In June last year there was an attempted burglary at my home and a strip along the side of the window was removed. It took the housing association over a year to finally repair it but even then the new part didn't fit. They sent someone to measure the window but it didn't amount to anything for so long. I was told they couldn't find the right part.

"I feel this is an unhealthy, unsafe house to live in and it's very upsetting and frustrating."

Ben Hagger, Teign Housing's property services manager, said: "Mrs Dover has raised a number of issues relating to the condition of her property. We have carried out a structural survey of the property where there is no indication of any structural faults.

"The survey did pick up on low-level condensation, but it has not been caused by the structure of the property.

"As Mrs Dover remains concerned about the property's condition, we are now investigating these concerns through our formal complaints process."