Halmat Osman has serious health conditions which mean he cannot use stairs and struggles to breathe sometimes while using lifts. The family were evicted from their privately rented accomadation when their daughter had just turned one because the landlord wanted to sell the property.

Family's desperation at being stuck in flat with damp and mouse infestation

by · BristolLive

A couple with a one-year-old daughter have spoken about the desperation they feel at being stuck in emergency accommodation they say has mould and damp and a mouse infestation

Halmat Osman and his family became homeless in April this year after they were evicted by their private landlord who wanted to sell the property they were living in. The family were placed in various hotels for almost six months, before finally being placed in a flat in Knowle by Bristol City Council.

However, according to Mr Osman the flat they have been living in for the last two months is infested with mice. "It’s killing me this house, it’s like a prison for me,“ he told Bristol Live..

Mr Osman has severe asthma and sciatica. After six months of being in emergency hotel accommodation the family were moved into the flat after an ambulance was called due to Mr Osman collapsing in the hotel lift.

Prior to this incident, a senior respiratory nurse at Southmead hospital had written to Bristol City Council’s housing department urging them to move the family out of hotel accommodation because of the risk it posed to his health. If he is in close proximity to someone wearing perfume it poses a risk to his breathing, so it is unsafe for him to use lifts and because of his sciatica, stairs are also unsuitable.

Despite the family’s current flat being on the ground floor, Mr Osman said there is damp and mould in the house, which he said has only added to his breathing problems. Exposure to mouse urine and faecal matter can also trigger asthma attacks.

One of several mice that was recently caught close to where the family sleeps.

Mr Osman said: “I have bad asthma and I can’t breathe. My daughter is constantly crying, she is scared and she can’t sleep.

“My wife has large red spots on her legs and we are all itching. I have emailed the council so many times.” The situation has become so unbearable that the family say they have considered sleeping in a park instead.

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Mr Osman said he has contacted the council constantly, and is also looking for permanent accommodation on Homechoice, but the family have currently been graded as band three - which makes them a low priority for housing. The family are currently trying to appeal with the council to change their banding.

Bristol City Council has been approached for a comment.