OP I live in a beautiful flat, new kitchen, new bathroom, regular inspections, new carpets, windows and light fittings - no damp at all, any suggestions or complaints I make get sorted pretty quickly.
Everyone compliments it from delivery drivers to emergency services, my DP was ill and we had to call an ambulance and the paramedics asked for a tour whilst he was getting his things together, the police once came to take a witness statement and wanted to look round because it’s an old building in a beautiful area.
Before you think I’m just rubbing it in I should tell you it wasn’t always like this!
Two years ago I had black mould on my ceiling and walls, I had to keep possessions in vacuum bags or they would go mouldy, I had no storage space as cupboards were riddled with damp and there was fungus growing at times.
My bath and shower leaked, the kitchen was ancient and falling to bits, the walls were wet and the whole place absolutely stank of damp despite several plug in air fresheners and two decent size electrical dehumidifiers running 24/7.
I made complaint after complaint and was told it was caused by me, I got told same as you it was from cooking without lids on pans, drying clothes and not ventilating the flat enough.
I got given leaflets about condensation and my local MP just went along with it.
The bathroom and kitchen were fitted with bigger extraction fans but it made no difference.
In the end I emailed pictures and told them I was going to go to the press and shame them, someone set up a just giving page for me that I didn’t know about that before I asked to be removed was heavily circuited.
I got doctors notes saying my depression was partly caused due to living conditions and I made myself an absolute nuisance, I also threatened legal action through advice I got when I used my house insurance so I didn’t have to pay.
DP used to have a flat in Salford through jigsaw before he moved in with me and I’m all too aware of what a nightmare they can be. Luckily his flat was a new build so there were no issues with the property but they were awful dealing with others issues.
I know you’ve been reluctant so far to go to the press but I think it’s the only way you will get this resolved. Tell them you are a victim of DV and don’t want to share your identity, I’m pretty sure they will be happy to go along with this.
Take the worst photos you can and explain about how much it’s affecting you and even link to this thread.
I’ve often wondered how you were getting on since you first posted and it seemed so positive on your last updated. I’m so angry and upset for you that you are still living like this, I know how much it gets you down.
It breaks my heart to think of you getting away from your ex and hopefully redecorating and trying to make a nice home for it to just be pointless because of your living conditions.
Please try shaming jigsaw and show the world what you have had to put up with, I’m proof that it works!
I was in a similar position to you leaving an abusive relationship with thousands of debt and an IVA so I was stuck where I was. I also couldn’t move away as I had a well paid job I loved and couldn’t leave the area.
I’m so house proud now and I know it’s different for you as you need a new property and it’s not a case of just putting the work in if they are insistent it stays an adaptable property but keep fighting until they move you somewhere suitable.
The other thing suggested by pp is to let it get as bad as possible and then show jigsaw. If you can spend any nights at your mums and let the mould grow and damp build up then they might act. It’s a gamble though because if they don’t then you are stuck living with it.
My fingers are crossed for you, you deserve better than this.
Please give more updates because a lot of people were invested and desperately hoping it worked out for you.