West Lothian mum warns ‘I am caught in dwelling from hell’

Vicky Cannon claims she has confronted a collection of points, together with uncooked sewage leaks, mould and an ant infestation.

Vicky Cannon, 38, has skilled homelessness and points securing a secure dwelling.(Picture: WSH)

A West Lothian mum has detailed her harrowing expertise looking for an appropriate dwelling for her household.

Vicky Cannon, 38, has skilled homelessness and points securing a secure dwelling.

After spells in short-term lodging and a brief keep in Broxburn, she now lives together with her associate and teenage son in a Hyperlink Housing property in Winchburgh.

However after transferring again to her dwelling village, she claims she has confronted a collection of points, together with uncooked sewage leaks, mould and an ant infestation.

As a result of a liked one’s deteriorating well being, she is now pleading with Hyperlink and the native authority to search out her a house that doesn’t impression her fibromyalgia.

Vicky says Hyperlink Housing has been fairly conscious of her complaints however feels her dwelling will not be match for objective.

She says: “All I’ve needed is to really feel protected and be at dwelling in Winchburgh however truthfully, this has been a kind of homes from hell. It’s been only one factor after one other for me.

“Years in the past I ended up homeless with my teenage son. We had been put in a resort for about 4 to 6 weeks. My son needed to go and keep along with his dad for a few weeks and it broke me.

“We had been then given a house in Broxburn however the stair was so harmful, there have been sellers and addicts all over the place. All we had had been two mattresses and a few deck chairs once we bought there.

“I hated being away from my household in Winchburgh as a result of I’ve been introduced up right here all my life. This village is my roots.”

After being contacted by Edinburgh Dwell relating to her state of affairs, Hyperlink Housing apologised for the problems Vicky has confronted and say they’ll now make contact together with her to make sure the property is assessed and additional points are recognized and resolved.

West Lothian Council say one property was recognized as a attainable resolution for Vicky final 12 months however was deemed not appropriate. They added they’ll proceed to have interaction with Vicky over her housing wants.

Vicky was so excited when Hyperlink Housing provided her a house in Winchburgh. However after her preliminary elation, she says she has confronted a listing of points.

“I used to be so excited once I bought provided a home again dwelling. The whole lot was positive to start out with however then it began to snowball.

“We found black mould all over the place. I needed to chuck out furnishings and garments because of the damp and mildew.

“They’ve come out and painted it however the mould nonetheless comes by. My associate wants to wash the home windows day by day and the partitions each week.

“The worst drawback we needed to take care of was a sewage pipe flooding our backyard. All of the waste from the homes round us spewed throughout our backyard.

“You possibly can see faeces and bathroom paper all around the grass. I couldn’t open the window because of the scent and I wouldn’t let my niece play within the backyard.

“I nonetheless don’t let the children go within the backyard. Although Hyperlink mentioned it has been cleaned up, I received’t let the canine go on the market in case there may be any residual waste there.”

In addition to coping with mould and uncooked sewage, Vicky says they’ve additionally needed to deal with an infestation of ants in her son’s room in addition to leaks and a temperamental heating system. The entire points mixed have had a large impression on her well being.

In addition to this, she now has to share caring obligations together with her sister for a liked one in Winchburgh. As a result of her fibromyalgia, she is pleading to be moved nearer to her household to help in administering care.

She is now pleading with West Lothian Council to search out her dwelling that’s each appropriate and near family members.

Vicky continued: “The home continues to be persevering with to impression my well being. I’ve bought fibromyalgia and the mould could make my well being deteriorate.

“I want to have the ability to keep in an setting that isn’t making me unwell. I’ve additionally bought to be near my household so I will help take care of them.

“It feels to me just like the council doesn’t even attempt to assist, I’ve simply felt deserted actually. All I hold being instructed is I don’t have sufficient factors for a council home.

“And the one dwelling they’ve ever provided me on this space, there was faeces on the wall and holes within the flooring.

“It was the worst home I’ve ever seen.

“I hate it right here now. You used to know all people however now they’re simply throwing up homes. They’re making an attempt to make us a city, not a village.”

West Lothian Council declared a housing emergency in Could 2024 as demand outstripped provide. At current, they’ve over 11,000 candidates on the Frequent Housing Register in search of social housing within the space.

These on the native authority say houses are allotted based mostly on these with the best want.

A spokesperson for the council mentioned: “We proceed to work with registered social landlords (RSLs) to extend the variety of houses for lease, which incorporates new properties in Winchburgh.

“The present programme of council and RSL housing developments goals ship an extra 1,920 extra houses for lease throughout West Lothian.”

They added: “This applicant has been on the Frequent Housing Register since February 2024, and we’ll proceed to have interaction with them over their housing wants.

“Whereas extra factors are given to households with higher housing wants, we can’t assure when a property will develop into obtainable within the space they’ve specified that may match to their particular person wants.

“A property was recognized and provided to the household in Could 2025 which we thought may meet their wants, however was withdrawn after it was agreed it was not appropriate.

“Any points relating to their present property must be addressed with their landlord.”

A Hyperlink Group spokesperson mentioned: “We’re sorry to listen to concerning the points dealing with this tenant and recognise the impression this example can have. We now have carried out inspections and restore works on the property over time, together with in relation to drainage and damp and mildew.

“We are going to now make direct contact with the tenant as a precedence to make sure the property is absolutely assessed and any additional works are recognized and progressed. We take any issues about tenants’ well being significantly and can guarantee these are absolutely thought-about in our response.”

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