High rise tenants' survey 'ignored'

Julie Gilbert • Published 12 May 2010 12:00

Residents claim a housing survey which revealed a concerning number of high rise homes suffer with mould and dampness has been "dismissed" by the council.

The Dalmuir Multi-Storey Tenants and Residents Association issued a questionnaire to every household in the six high rise blocks in Dalmuir.

The results, which they sent to West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC), showed that more than 70 per cent of respondents had problems with dampness and mould and more than 80 per cent felt their heating system was inadequate or too expensive.

But a response by WDC has angered association secretary Jim Gilmer, who feels that the survey is being dismissed because only 27 per cent of residents responded.

He said: "The council note the response rate across the flats varied, this is clearly an attempt at evasion.

"The survey still represents twenty-seven per cent of all residents - twenty-seven per cent is on par with local elections and European election turnout which have an average thirty-five per cent turnout.

"This is clearly a strong and solid response by the tenants and shouldn't be dismissed in such a fashion by council."

The Post spoke to two tenants who have mould in their flat.

Stewart Forrester, 48, has had a serious mould problem for around five years and he believes it is aggravating his breathing problems.

The Crescent Court resident said: "In my bedroom it's really noticeable in the corner.

"The council put new heaters in the bedrooms but they put them right by the door instead of close to the corner where the mould is.

"I have an oxygen machine in my room so I have to keep the window open and make sure there is fresh air coming in - if I don't get oxygen when I'm sleeping I stop breathing.

"The mould doesn't help and it's aggravating my problems.

"I have to keep the machine on the other side of the room specifically so it doesn't pick up any of the mould."

A spokeswoman for WDC said: "Councillors and chief officers have met to discuss this and presently officers from a range of disciplines are looking at options to tackle the issues."

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 12 May 10

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