Honiton: Family feels trapped and isolated in council flat with damp walls

A young Honiton family living in a damp and mouldy council flat that's damaging their children's health will have their case considered by the Government's Housing Ombudsman.

Jasmine Carnell has spent almost two years dealing with a litany of problems including severe mould, a leaking toilet, water running down the walls, a crack in the ceiling and a gaping hole in the ceiling of her toddler's bedroom.

The 23-year-old shares her two-bedroom East Devon Council flat with her partner Dean, 29, and their children, who are 10-months-old and two-years-old.

At one point the radiators leaked so badly the council told them to turn off the heating in most of the rooms, forcing the family to move out of their freezing flat for a week and stay with Jasmine's mum in Sidmouth.

Jasmine says council workmen have been round to their home in the Jerrard Close area approximately ten times. But water is still coming in.

The flat is on the second floor with no lift and Jasmine is unable to leave the flat with both children at the same time, as there are thirty steep steps. She feels trapped and isolated.

Jasmine's health visitor wrote to the council in March 2021 to request the family were moved to more suitable accommodation. She raised concerns about it being too small, the persistent coughs of the children due to the mould and the fact that there is no clean and safe outside space.

The health visitor pointed out the situation was causing Jasmin and her family 'huge anxiety' and 'frustration.'

Jasmine told Honiton Nub News: "The situation is affecting our mental health. It's causing a lot of stress for us as a family because it has been dragging on so long.

"Our children keep getting poorly due to the damp. It's also affecting the children's sleep due to the fact it's always cold. I'd just like to move to more suitable accommodation, for the health of my children."

Their case has now been referred to the Housing Ombudsman by local councillor Paul Millar.

Jasmine contacted Paul asking for help and, after consultation with Honiton Councillor Jake Bonetta, the case has been referred for an investigation.

Jasmine said: "I asked Paul for some advice and to help me. He did help me he's been amazing!

"He referred me to the ombudsman and they're investigating."

Councillor Paul Millar said: "I can confirm that I've referred Jasmin's case to the Ombudsman and today wrote to ask for progress, although the Ombudsman is inundated with complaints due to the well-publicised problems within social housing.

He continued: "I felt her case needed referring following consultation with her Ward Member, Cllr Bonetta, due to disrepair issues which had taken a very long time to resolve due to communication issues between the Council, its repairs and contractors and other agencies."

He added: "Council house tenants aren't, in my view, treated with enough dignity in society."

The family are waiting to hear the results of the investigation, but they have been warned that the pandemic has caused enormous delays, and they could be waiting months.

A spokesman for East Devon District Council confirmed the family's case had been referred to the Housing