Cairns Department of Housing tenant in battle to get water leak fixed

A stream of water seeping out of a wall, mould growth and the smell of “death” has a Cairns government housing tenant at her wit’s end after a two-year battle to fix a diabolical situation.

Cairns Grandmother Phyl Langridge has been living in her housing commission unit at Edge Hill since 2020. Picture: Brendan Radke

A stream of water seeping out of a wall, mould growth and the smell of “death” has a Cairns government housing tenant at her wit’s end after a two-year battle to fix a diabolical situation at her Edge Hill unit.

Phyl Langridge moved into the Bowden St duplex in 2020.

A fresh lick of paint disguised a smell and other than concerns about asbestos warning signs installed in the linen cupboard, everything appeared to be fine.

That was until two years ago when water began dripping down the Besser block wall of her grandchild’s bedroom and running across the floor every time the shower was turned on.

“They can’t go into that room, you mop it up and it comes back as soon as you have a shower,” she said.

For the past two years, the tenant has endured leaking pipes in her unit walls and puddles of water pooling onto the floors causing mould growth. Picture: Brendan Radke

Evidence of water egress on block walls inside the Edge Hill unit. Picture: Brendan Radke

The 66-year-old traffic controller said a leaking pipe inside the block wall was causing water to well up inside the wall cavity and drain out the bottom of the wall of the neighbouring room.

“It's a death trap,” she said.

“Can’t have kids staying here with the smell and the heat is not helping it.

“The house has been washed and painted but the smell still lingers.

“I can’t keep doing this, I have had enough.”

Ms Langridge suffers from respiratory problems and uses a special asthma nebuliser. She claims standing water, damp and mould growth is adversely impacting her health.

She has supporting documentation from her doctor recommending she finds somewhere else to live but she claims the Department of Housing has not accepted an application to transfer into alternative accommodation.

“My doctors want me to move,” she said.

“He sent me to a headshrinker to sort of help me along because I was getting so upset with this and (housing) still ignored it.”

Phyl Langridge has had enough of fighting for a fix to the water leak. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Langridge said a steady stream of up to a dozen Qbuild plumbers and carpenters have come to her unit but no work has been done and the problem still remains.

The tenant said she had continuously called and emailed the Department of Housing but was stuck in a frustrating loop and had to explain her situation over and over to different staff.

Compounding the water issue were two previous tenants who had died in the property including one man who was not found for some time.

“It was so bad, (he was a hoarder) and it took three big (skips) to get the rubbish out,” she said.

“It smells very stale, like dead.”

Ms Langridge after holding up her end of a tenancy bargain and paying rent on time claims the Department of Housing has failed to uphold responsibilities expected of a landlord.

The department however refused to comment on the situation.

“While the cases of individual tenants cannot be discussed for privacy reasons, the department continues to work with all customers to address maintenance needs for social housing properties,” a spokeswoman said.

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Originally published as Cairns Department of Housing tenant in battle to get water leak fixed