A mother of three who successfully sued her landlord for hazardous mould that made living there “unbearable” for her family says she is eager to “make our house a home” now.
The 36-year-old Sara-Jae Gumbley had to undergo a three-year “living nightmare,” purchasing up to 20 air fresheners each month in an effort to cover up the musty odour.
She remarked that the thick black mould covering the walls and ceiling of the downstairs bathroom made it uninhabitable and “looked like it had suffered a huge fire.”
It meant Sara-Jae and the kids all had to use the upstairs one, with the mum, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, adding: ‘My youngest occasionally had accidents on the stairs. It was terrible.’
Despite repeatedly reporting the dire living conditions to Eastbourne County Council, Sara-Jae said they did little to resolve the situation.
She eventually called upon the help of a firm of lawyers specialising in housing disrepair who fought her battle in court – and won.
Veritas helped secure her £2,500 in damages as well as ensuring the council carried out the £3,000 worth of works to fix the problem.
Sara-Jae said: ‘My little one is delighted that she can now have play dates with her friends. It’s time to make our house a home.’
She said of the issue: ‘I felt helpless and ashamed. The mould took over our lives, and the smell was unbearable.
‘I tried my best to hide it with all the air fresheners but, deep down, I knew it wasn’t a solution. My children’s health was at risk, and I couldn’t stand by and do nothing.
‘The kids couldn’t have their friends over because I was concerned they might touch something by accident, not to mention my embarrassment of the state the house was in.
‘The downstairs toilet, which we could never use, looked like it had suffered a huge fire. It was just black with mould and always had a puddle on the floor.
‘That meant we had to share the upstairs toilet which, between four people, was challenging. My youngest occasionally had accidents on the stairs. It was terrible.’
She described feeling unable to have any guests over at all – even at Christmas – fearing they might touch something and fall ill.
After years of anguish, the council completed the repairs last month. Sara-Jae hopes to use part of the settlement to take her children, aged five, 11 and 13, to Spain.
In a message of advice to others living through similar harrowing ordeals, she added: ‘Don’t suffer in silence. Take action and get the help you deserve.
‘Reach out to organisations who can guide you through the legal process. Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy home.’
Eastbourne Borough Council said: ‘We are committed to ensuring everyone has a place to call home which is secure, decent and genuinely affordable.
‘We take all issues of damp, mould and disrepair very seriously.
‘Advice has been given to Ms Gumbley on good ventilation in the property. We are pleased that Ms Gumbley is satisfied with the work that’s been carried out.’
Faraz Fazal, a Managing Partner at Veritas Solicitors, said: ‘This case reinforces our resolve to combat substandard living conditions and advocate for tenants’ rights.
‘It serves as a reminder to all landlords that they have a fundamental duty to provide safe and habitable homes.’