WHEN she moved into her home she thought it would be the perfect place to bring up her children.

Mum-of-three Kirsty Petch has lived in Peninsula Road, Winchester, for four-and- a-half years. But just six months after they arrived, black mould started appearing around the house.

Barmaid Kirsty, 22, and partner Shaun Hallisey, 43, a supervisor, say they have been urging housing organisation A2Dominion, which they rent from, to do something for years — but the problem has just got worse.

Now, with a new addition to the family, they have had enough.

The worst room is that shared by the couple’s older children, Tilly, six, and Reggie, five, while that shared by Shaun, Kirsty and their 11-month-old baby, Willow, and the lounge is also affected.

Both Shaun and Tilly claim they have been suffering with breathing problems, and the couple are concerned for Willow’s health.

Ms Petch said: “When I moved in it was perfect but when we started living here problems started appearing. About six months after I moved in we got this mould. It’s in every room of the house. The extent of it in the children’s room is just ridiculous.”

She added: “We don’t want to move out of this house — we just want the problem sorted. We just don’t know what to do anymore. My children don’t deserve to be living here.”

A2Dominion is currently building 18 new homes close to where the couple live.

Mr Hallisey said: “It’s taken its toll on me now. I’m going to take this further until all of this gets solved. A2Dominion are building all these new houses but they are not looking after all the tenants they have got.

“I have been asthmatic all of my life but I haven’t had asthma for years, but since I have moved in it’s come back.”

A2Dominion said it was trying to fix the problem, and have appointments to repair extractor fans this month.

Emma Solomons, A2Dominion’s assistant director of property services, added: “We regret that Kirsty Petch has experienced an issue with damp in her property.

“Our contractors have visited the property to investigate the cause of the problem, and fixed a leak in the kitchen as well as readjusting loft insulation.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this issue.”

Cllr Ian Tait, portfolio holder for housing, said: “It remains to be seen that what A2 are going to do to resolve the issue, and because of the length of time it has taken, Ms Petch and her partner have lost confidence with A2.”