Ceiling collapses in disabled child's bedroom "due to damp issues"

Collapsed ceiling in disabled child's bedroom "due to damp issues"

Furious mother Helen Percy has been told she must wait until 7 November for Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to repair her ceiling after it collapsed "due to damp issues" on 18 September.

Helen was stripping the wallpaper at her home in Wardle in her disabled daughter’s bedroom to redecorate when the ceiling caved in, leaving a gaping hole.

Helen’s daughter, Shelby, 12, who has epilepsy, mobility issues and hydrocephalus, has since had to sleep in her parents’ room, which Helen says is not ideal.

She said: "Shelby is very restless so she doesn’t really sleep. She’s near the wardrobes and she keeps banging them, which is keeping us all awake.

"I think RBH could have responded faster as the damage is in my daughter’s room: I don't think it's right that a 12-year-old should be in her bedroom with her mum and dad."

The mess has also ruined all of Shelby’s childhood toys.

Helen was originally told she could face waiting up to twelve months before the damage caused by damp was repaired.

After consulting a solicitor, she was given a period of 21 days for a surveyor to assess the damage. Due to an error with the wrong address, this period has been extended.

Further damp was also discovered after Helen found woodchip wallpaper elsewhere in the house was easily peeled away from the wall.

Damp has also affected the kitchen and door frames in addition to Shelby’s ceiling.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing spokesperson said: "We are aware of dampness problems reported by our tenant at Elm Grove. On the 12 July 2016, we ordered work to resolve this problem. According to our repairs policy, RBH has up to 12 months to complete plastering works, although we can give enhanced priority where works are deemed to be urgent.

It appears that the damp is being caused by a leaking chimney. On the 29 September 2016, our contractors attended to erect a scaffold to repair the roof; however they were refused access which meant that the work was unable to proceed.

An inspector called to the home on Monday 24 October to inspect the damage and has subsequently asked our contractor to complete the repair to the chimney. Associated orders have been placed to repair the ceiling and treat the damp to the chimney breast."