A FURIOUS woman is being forced out of her mould and damp riddled home – after being blamed by the landlord.
Emilie Musson claims she has no choice but to leave the one-bed flat in Carlton, Nottingham, after “shocking” conditions ruined her furniture, health and mental wellbeing.
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The 26-year-old finally left on March 6, after putting up with the mould infested property for 15 months.
Defiant landlord Rocco Labatte insists the issues were caused by Emilie herself, because she kept the windows closed and didn’t heed his damp proofing advice.
The fuming tenant told the Nottingham Post: “I don’t want somebody else to move into the flat and go through what I had to go through.
“I couldn’t take it anymore because I felt the flat wasn’t safe to live in.”
The property was originally listed on Rightmove by Johnsons and Partners for £750pcm on March 25, but has since been taken down.
Emilie claimed she was struck down by a nasty chest infection while staying there – and doctors told her the “living conditions weren’t helping it”.
We’re not idiots, despite him trying to make out that we were.
Previous tenant
Meanwhile, “furious” landlord Mr Labatte argued: “The tenant did not put the heating on and she did not ventilate the place.
“I went there with a damp proofer and told her what to do and she did not take any of the advice.
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“I can’t help tenants if they don’t help themselves.”
He claimed he “revamped” the flat with double glazing, new floors and new windows.
Mr Labatte also claimed neighbours told him Emilie’s windows were always closed, and a damp proofer said it was “an internal problem”
The fuming landlord claimed the flat “completely dried out” after he set the temperature to 15C and ventilated it.
He slammed his former tenant and claimed the “state she left it in was unacceptable”.
“Before her, I had a tenant that lived there for three years and there were no problems,” he added.
But, a previous tenant came forward and backed up Emilie.
They recalled the property was “terrible” and would have to douse it in mould cleaning agents “every few months”.
According to the ex-resident, Mr Labatte told them to keep furniture away from the wall.
“I’ve never heard something so ridiculous in my life,” they said.
“When we moved in, some of the white goods provided started being faulty over time and we had to repair them ourselves.
“We’re not idiots, despite him trying to make out that we were.”
Emilie also turned to Gedling Borough Council’s Environmental Health for help but was disappointed with “a lot of waiting around”.
A Gedling Borough Council spokesperson said: “Gedling Borough Council was contacted by a resident about an issue with damp and mould at a privately rented property, in February 2024.”
The Sun Online contacted Gedling Borough Council for comment.
It comes as two young woman say their damp flat is so mouldy they wake struggling to breathe in the morning.
Ella, 22, and her flatmate claim they’ve been plagued by health issues since moving into their privately-rented property in Manchester.
The smell is so bad they spray their clothes with Febreze before going into work.
Elsewhere, a family forced to live in a damp flat for six years say the kids are ill and they keep having to replace mouldy furniture.
Anthony Evans and wife Elizabeth have four kids suffering respiratory issues believed to be caused by the grotty condition of their Priesthill home in Glasgow.
Is mould dangerous?
Living with mould in your home can affect your physical and mental health.
According to research by Envirodent, damp caused by condensation is on the rise, affecting 1 in 5 homes in the UK.
Mould can be harmful for vulnerable groups including the elderly, infants and children and those with pre-existing health conditions.
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Mould impacts your immune system and can cause respiratory problems.
The spores produce allergens that can cause sneezing, a runny nose, skin rashes and even asthma attacks.
How to get rid of mould
THERE are many ways to treat mould in your home, but whichever method you use, you should always protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves and a mask that covers your mouth and nose.
Hydrogen Peroxide
- Pour three per cent strength hydrogen peroxide into a bottle and spray it on the affected area.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes, or until it stops bubbling.
- Using a cloth or soft brush, scrub the mould away.
- Wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth.
- Repeat if necessary.
White Vinegar
- Spray some vinegar on the surface and leave it for at least an hour.
- Scrub with a brush then wipe with a damp cloth.
- Leave to dry.
- Remember to NEVER MIX VINEGAR WITH BLEACH as it creates a toxic gas which can be deadly if inhaled.
Baking soda
- Dissolve baking soda in water, and spray it on the mould.
- Apply the mixture and scrub with a brush.
- Wipe away the excess with a clean, damp cloth then leave it to dry.
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