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Whitfield mum fears for children's safety after she was told her home was "dangerous" due to cracks and damp walls

A mum from Whitfield fears for her children’s safety after she was told her home could be “dangerous” due to cracks and damp walls.

Hayley Brown, 24, of Bindon Blood Road, rents a Town and Country Housing Group property but says the company is yet to fix the problems.

She said the cracks and damp walls have formed due to a leak in the chimney breast which is making the walls wet and has caused mould spores.

Damp ceiling
Damp ceiling

Miss Brown lives with her partner Warren Jervis, 23, and their three children, who are all aged under six.

She said: “It is dangerous. All the time I’ve got kids here it makes me feel so upset where I’m having to worry about my kids’ safety more than ever.

“It’s making me really worried for my family’s safety since Mears said it is dangerous and could see the outside brickwork moving and videoed it.”

Hayley Brown fears for her children's safety in cracked and damp house
Hayley Brown fears for her children's safety in cracked and damp house

Miss Brown claims the maintenance contractor Mears, working on behalf of Town and Country, visited the property two weeks ago and said it was dangerous. She said: “I’m scared at the slightest creek from the window when there’s wind and rain. You often hear it grinding when it’s windy.”

A surveyor visited the property on Tuesday but told Miss Brown that it was not dangerous and said Town and Country has not yet given permission for the contractors to fix the problems.

She said: “He said he can’t fix it unless Town and Country say yes, but they have already said no to the ceiling that is in the bedroom my baby sleeps in.”

Cracks have appeared in her home
Cracks have appeared in her home

She claims she first reported the ceiling was in need of repair last year but it has taken this long to get a response.

A spokesman for Town and Country said: “A Town and Country surveyor has inspected the property to access the work required.

“The appointed contractor will carry out the work to the living room window and will commence the repairs within
the next 14 days, weather permitting.

“This kind of repair is not uncommon in properties of this age and no further work is required once this work is completed.”

Town and Country claimed it had no record of any other repairs needed.

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