Montrose mother Jasmine Garrett says her family’s health has suffered while living in mouldy unit

A doctor has recommended an asthma sufferer and her children be relocated from a mould-riddled public housing unit.

• New sampling results at a mouldy South Hobart home reveal high levels of mould
• Tenants’ tales of mouldy misery in public housing complex

A DOCTOR has recommended an asthma sufferer and her children be relocated from a mould-riddled public housing unit, in another case of substandard Tasmanian social housing.

Montrose mother Jasmine Garrett said her health had deteriorated in recent months while she had noticed an increase in mould growth at her unit.

She said she and her children had been sleeping on a mattress in the unit’s lounge room to escape the conditions in a bedroom, which she said was blocked of sunlight.

After contacting Housing Tasmania about the issue, Ms Garrett said she was told the mould growth was an insurance problem.

Montrose Housing Tasmania resident Jasmine Garrett with her children Kaiden McHenry, 7, and Remi Gueston, 6 months. Picture CHRIS KIDD

“I’ve had to empty out two rooms after I saw mould growing on my new bedroom suite,” she said. “At times I feel like my ribs are broken, my breathing is so bad.”

Ms Garrett, 28, said she had noticed her two children experience similar respiratory problems.

A medical report from Ms Garrett’s GP, seen by the Mercury, recommends the family be relocated “as soon as possible”.

“She has shown me photographs of extensive mould growing throughout the house, including on the beds and carpet, and it is highly likely this environment is significantly contributing to her asthma flare-ups,” the letter read. “Additionally, the stress of this situation is affecting Ms Garrett’s anxiety disorder and mental health.

“I doubt the amount of mould can easily be dealt with so I recommend that Ms Garrett and her children be relocated as soon as possible.”

Mould growth inside Montrose mother Jasmine Garrett's public housing unit.

It comes after the state’s anti-discrimination commissioner accepted a complaint against Housing Tasmania by South Hobart public housing tenant Matthew Rooke.

Housing Tasmania is being investigated for discrimination against Mr Rooke after he was denied a transfer despite medical reports showing his health ailments were linked to his mouldy unit.

Tasmania Tenants Union solicitor Alex Bomford said Ms Garrett’s accommodation was of serious concern.

“It’s unacceptable that a property owned by Housing Tasmania is being left to fester in this condition, and the tenant and her family are being left to get seriously unwell as a result,” he said.

“Unlike a private rental, public housing tenants can’t practically terminate their tenancy, they’re stuck. Housing Tasmania has a duty to make sure properties are safe and habitable for tenants.”

Mr Bomford said house mould issues were one of the biggest complaints heard by the union. He said 14 per cent of union complaints in July 2016 were mould-related.

Mould growth on carpet at Montrose mother Jasmine Garrett's public housing unit.

A Housing Tasmania spokesman on Saturday confirmed it was investigating what action needs to be taken to rectify the issues raised in Ms Garrett’s case.

“We will keep the tenant informed of any proposed repair and restoration action to be taken,” the spokesman said.

The public housing provider has previously said tenants are responsible for keeping the property in a reasonable state of cleanliness and ensuring it is in a similar condition to when the tenancy started.