A mum has revealed her protracted battle with Highland Council over dampness in her Inverness home.
Stephanie Mezzetti believes the conditions at her house in Smithton are making her and her two children ill.
The 31-year-old first complained about problems with mould, damp and a faulty heating system in December, 2013 – but claimed she had been “fobbed off” by the local authority.
Conditions have now become so bad that she moved her children Emma Jane, 12, and DJ, 6, out for a few days every week over the winter for the good of their health.
Highland Council confirmed it is aware of the issue and has commissioned a dampness survey to identify the cause of the problems.
But Ms Mezzetti, a cleaner at Inverness College UHI, believes the family should be moved to a new home.
She said: “Both my children do not want to be in this property anymore, so I am feeling very angry and frustrated because I am doing my best as a single mum to get this problem sorted and getting fobbed off every time I speak to someone.
“All I would like the council to do is move me and my kids, so we can have the home we deserve where it’s not affecting our health.”
Ms Mezzetti revealed she and her daughter are both taking two inhalers to address “severe breathing problems” caused by the conditions.
Emma Jane missed three weeks of school in March due to illness.
Her son has also developed similar problems, though currently not to the same severity.
Ms Mezzetti herself has been advised to sleep in the sitting room rather than her own bedroom because of mould.
She also confirmed she is having to spend about £100 a week on electricity in order to try and heat the property.
She said: “The way I am feeling with the council not doing their job properly is angry and very disappointed as they are breaking the tenancy agreement I signed when I got my keys.
“I have been complaining for nearly four years now to get them to sort out the mould, damp, and heating problems – the windows, which are not wind and water tight, are severely cracked and mouldy with no help from them.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “The council is aware of the concerns regarding the property at Smithton Park and a dampness survey has been commissioned from our specialist damp sub-contractor to identify the type and cause of dampness.
“On receiving the report, any recommendations will be actioned by the council.”
