BBCA person whose leased house is roofed in damp and mould plans to stay in a motorhome in his driveway this winter.
David Barlow, 65, purchased his retirement property in Merton, Swansea, in November 2023, which is on the Gower Peninsula and close to the world's gorgeous seashores.
But after noticing a “horrible black stripe” of their lounge inside days of transferring in, they nonetheless haven't unpacked out of worry the moisture will harm their belongings.
Despite complaining to property supervisor Firstport nearly two years in the past, the issue has nonetheless not been resolved.
FirstPort says the issue was attributable to defective cavity wall insulation put in by British Gas 11 years in the past.
But Osborne Energy, which handles disputes for British Gas, stated normal upkeep points have been accountable, and it was awaiting Firstport's response.
Mr Barlow stated, “I have no life – it's just working, waiting and existing.”
“I'm trying my best to move on, but this has really made a big impact on my life.”
Mr Barlow, initially from Sheffield, purchased the property leased out For his retirement.
This signifies that the customer has the best to stay in it for a set, long-term interval, however doesn’t personal the land on which it stands.
The land stays the property of a freeholder, with FirstPort managing the properties on the event.
Mr Barlow is now prescribed antidepressants and sleeping capsules, and his ophthalmologist suspects that the persistent irritation in his eyes could also be attributable to fungus and moisture.
The scenario has additionally compelled her to work away from house – staying in a single day throughout 24-hour shifts as a youngsters's residential care officer.
“When I'm away, I feel fine, but as soon as I drive back, it hits me again,” he stated.
Now dealing with his third winter with no “livable” house, Mr Barlow stated he deliberate to take drastic motion if situations didn’t enhance by the top of November.
He will drive right into a motorhome parked on his drive, plugged into the mains.
Mr Barlow described communication from FirstPort as poor.
There have been additionally delays and contradictory messages, he added, making it really feel as if he was “going round and round like a hamster on a wheel”.
“I feel like I've been left completely in the dark,” Mr Barlow stated.
His case has been dealt with by 10 completely different firm managers over the previous two years, he stated.
Despite escalating the problem by way of tribunals and complaints procedures, he stated they’d “exhausted every avenue”.
“I love my house and don't want to sell it,” Mr Barlow stated.
“I wish to put down roots, however I can't stay there except I stay there correctly.
“It's a crazy situation.”
A spokesperson for FirstPort stated they perceive “how challenging this situation has been”, and are doing “everything we can to find a solution as quickly as possible”.
Earlier this 12 months, the corporate revealed that an impartial survey had confirmed that defective cavity wall insulation (CWI) was put in on the improvement web site by British Gas 11 years in the past.
FirstPort contacted Osborne Energy, the corporate that handles disputes for British Gas.
Although its preliminary request for remediation work was rejected by Osborne Energy, it stated the CWI was coated below a 25-year assure.
As a outcome, FirstPort had submitted a monetary help utility and was supporting a bunch's declare to safe “cost-effective and reliable outcomes” for its residents.
The spokesperson stated Mr Barlow's grievance was formally addressed on 27 August 2025, and the property supervisor remained in weekly contact with him.
He stated FirstPort will contact Osborne Energy instantly to debate the data shared and decide one of the best path ahead.
Debbie Lewis, of Osborne Energy, stated the case started with Mr Barlow's damp and mould report in June 2024.
Then, in September of that 12 months, it obtained a bunch report itemizing points with 5 properties in improvement.
He stated FirstPort has taken over communications and has instructed Osborne Energy to not contact Mr Barlow instantly.
In November, a survey performed by Osborne Energy recognized normal upkeep points slightly than insulation failure, however the report was not reviewed after a supervisor left, Ms. Lewis stated.
He stated FirstPort later apologized and submitted a “visual, non-intrusive” report in July that didn’t “conclusively” hyperlink the moisture to defective insulation.
In September, Ms Lewis described how Osborne Energy inquired about quotes submitted by Firstport to take away insulation at seven extra properties, however had but to obtain a response.
British Gas, the unique installer of the cavity wall insulation, stated it had “nothing further to add to Osborne Energy's position”.
With inputs from BBC