In Stourbridge, Kevin Smith and his partner Danielle Hutton face a relentless everyday struggle in their mould-ridden home. Living on Lyttelton Road, the couple and their three children contend with pervasive damp and mould that have infiltrated every room—a situation that Kevin fears might be endangering their lives.
Kevin, 39, suffers from emphysema, and Danielle, 36, battles asthma, complicating their health amidst these hazardous living conditions. In January, paramedics were called after Danielle experienced severe breathing difficulties. Alarmed by the state of the property, they issued a safeguarding notice to Dudley Council, flagging the home’s unsafe environment.
Despite their pleas for help, the family remains trapped in this privately rented house. The mould is so severe that three rooms have been abandoned, and invasive Japanese Knotweed is creeping through one doorway. Compounding the crisis, an inspection uncovered electrical hazards, water ingress from a damaged flat roof, and even a ceiling collapse on the ground floor.
READ MORE: We visited Birmingham’s worst road for parking fines but left feeling better
READ MORE: State Pensioners to Receive Extra £566 Annual Boost with Pension Credit Increase
Kevin shared the emotional and financial toll this has taken on them: “I can’t work; it’s soul-destroying trying to fix problems you can’t afford to repair yourself. The anxiety and depression are constant. We’ve had days when we thought of giving up, but as a family, we keep pushing.”
The family relies heavily on a dehumidifier, which Kevin empties four times daily, yet the damp persists. Though Dudley Council conducted an inspection in March and is preparing a report that could classify the home as ‘unfit,’ progress has been slow. The council disputes Mr. Smith’s account of alternative accommodation, offering a bed and breakfast option the family finds unsuitable, fearing it would render them ‘intentionally homeless.’
Local officials are pressing for swifter action. Councillor Tony Creed demands a quicker response from the council, while Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles has formally raised the family’s plight with authorities.
Kevin pleads for understanding: “One of those photos should speak volumes. My family has been left in the dark, made to feel less than human. The mental strain and uncertainty are overwhelming, putting our health at even greater risk.”