A cancer survivor has told how she is ‘really frightened’ of the effect her mould-infested Invergordon home is having on her health.
Megan Williamson, 24, was diagnosed with leukaemia back in January 2008 and is on lifelong medication to maintain her health.
In 2019, she moved into a top flat on Fleming Way in Invergordon, and despite being a newer property, issues began two years later.
She first noticed mould growing around her living room windows in June 2021, which she immediately reported to the Highland Council.
Ms Williamson, who is extremely cautious due to her past health issues, says the wooden window frames, originally white, have now turned black due to mould.
She said: “My dad had to come out and gave it a wipe, but it keeps growing back, and it has got to the point where the wood has turned completely black.
“It’s horrible, I don’t even like people coming to visit me, that’s how bad it’s got.”
Due to the situation at her own home, Ms Williamson walks from Invergordon to Alness most days to visit and care for her 85-year-old nana.
Cancer survivor forced to live in mould-infested home
Even something as simple as walking has over the last year become a real struggle for her.
She said: “I feel recently since I’ve been left to live in it, my breathing has got a lot worse.
“I have no energy at all. If I’ve got my heating all, sometimes I’ve got to turn it off and open all the windows because I feel like I am suffocating.”
Not only has her physical health been affected, but the ordeal has also taken a toll on her mental health.
Ms Williamson believes “she is not being listened to” by the Highland Council, who have dismissed her concerns.
Having sent countless emails, she said: “I feel like my mental health has really gone downhill because they’ve not listened to me.
“I feel like smashing my house up because that’s the way I feel going crazy at the fact that none of them are listening.
“Having to go home to that every night, going through the front door my mood drops straight away.”
Recently visited by someone from the council, she says they told her it was just condensation and to “open the windows”.
Ms Williamson says the mould has started to creep across her kitchen ceiling and has been spotted on every window in the property.
She said: “I’ve had leukaemia and I am scared in case that comes back, I am really frightened.
‘I don’t want to be there anymore’
“Knowing this mould could cause some sort of infection, I am scared to live in the house surrounded by all that.”
She feels like she can no longer live at the property and wants to move out and to another place as soon as possible.
She has very few ties to Invergordon and would be keen to completely relocate somewhere else to escape her current housing situation.
She added: “I don’t want to be there anymore, knowing that mould has been in that house. I know it’s going to keep coming back and it’s not going to stop.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We cannot comment on individual tenant’s circumstances, however, we can confirm that Highland Council is committed to working with our tenants to ensure that reports of damp, mould or condensation are responded to as quickly as possible.
“Advice is offered to our tenants on heating and ventilation of their homes and remedial works will take place if identified at inspection.
“Where there are repeated complaints or the problem resurfaces, we will carry out follow-up inspections and works or will commission an independent survey to identify if there is anything further we can do.”