Black mould in Bell Park sparks grandmother’s health concerns for family

Mould is spreading throughout this Bell Park grandma’s rental home. It’s even growing on her shoes. SEE THE PICTURES

This Bell Park family says mould is spreading throughout their rental home.

There is black mould sprouting on the ceiling of a Bell Park grandmother’s rental home.

Underneath lino in the kitchen, the problem’s the same.

The 62-year-old says the problem is so severe the mould is infiltrating nearly every surface, growing on her shoes and books.

The woman, who didn’t want to be named, has lived in the rental home for nine years with her daughter, and her two grandsons, aged nine and four years.

She said about a year ago, they noticed black mould growing on the ceiling of their two bedroom home.

She said she reported the situation to the property manager multiple times, but claims nothing was done to address it.

Following an inspection early this month, the grandmother said her daughter received a notice to vacate the premises by June 17.

Bell Park grandmother her daughter and two grandsons have been evicted from their rental home after 9 years, after reporting black mould. Picture: Supplied

In the notice, seen by the Geelong Advertiser, the property manager said the rental provider decided to put the property up for sale “due to personal circumstances”.

She said she was furious about the situation and feared for the health of her grandchildren.

“My oldest grandson gets asthma (because of the mould),” she said.

“He’s been in and out of hospital because of it.

“They put lino in (the kitchen) … it’s got mould underneath.

“I pulled shoes out of my wardrobe, and had to put them back because they were covered in mould.

“It’s gotten into my daughter’s bedroom … and ruined books she had in a cabinet.”

According to Tenants Victoria rental providers have a legal duty to ensure properties meet basic minimum standards, including making sure rooms are free from mould and damp.

The organisation’s website said fixing mould was considered an urgent repair, which need to be fixed “as soon as possible”.

The grandmother says their house is infested with black mould.

The grandmother said the idea of finding another property to rent was daunting, because the family had accumulated a lot of belongings over the near-decade of living at their current house.

She said with the state of the rental market, she was also concerned about finding an affordable place, close by her grandson’s school, that would accommodate her daughter’s pet dogs and rabbit.

“I don’t know what to say or what to do,” she said.

“I really am not positive about a move.

“It’s really weird the way the system works.”

She said although she has two other daughters who live in the Geelong region, she doesn’t want to impose on them like she’s had to in the past, leaving her in a very tough position.

Barwon Health public health physician Dr Akhtar Hussain said a mouldy home environment contributes to asthma, sensitivity to allergies, eczema and rhinitis, particularly in children.

Dr Hussain said some people with immune suppression are at increased risk of invasive fungal infection when exposed to high mould levels.

“It is crucial to identify and remove the source of moisture, such as portable heaters, leaking pipes and taps, fish tanks and indoor plants requiring moist air to control the moulds and prevent them from returning,” Dr Hussain said.

The property managers were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Black mould in Bell Park sparks grandmother’s health concerns for family