Housing provider neglects young family for four years with bed bug infestation and mould outbreak – The Independent
One of the UKs largest housing providers has been accused of forcing a young family to live with a bed bug infestation and mould outbreak for nearly four years.
Sanctuary Housing knew about the chronic issues within a Pimlico-based property before Jade and Tyrone Sullivan moved into the maisonette flat with their three children but have failed to adequately tackle the problem, the couple has said. The housing provider did not deny the claims when approached about it.
Very quickly after their tenancy began in February 2019, the Sullivans say they realised that the entire building in south London was overcome with pests and mould.
As their complaints have been inadequately handled over the years, the family endures daily bedbug bites and their health is failing due to the hazardous conditions, they have said.
Mr Sullivan says he underwent urgent medical treatment to tackle a chest infection, thought to have been mould-induced, while Mrs Sullivan, who lives with bipolar disorder, is fearing an episodic breakdown which she says has been exacerbated by ongoing lack of sleep.
The children, twins aged 10 and a seven-year-old, now have permanent skin scars from the bites and are struggling with the school as a result of rest deprivation, their parents say.
(Supplied)
Since moving in we have had to endure despicable living conditions. Our health is being affected by the bed bug situation as we are unable to sleep properly at night and are ingesting mould, Mrs Sullivan, an activist and writer, told The Independent.
I havent had a proper nights sleep in over 45 nights, at the moment. I feel like Im going to die! This is torture - were living in hell.
Though the family has been moved out in temporary accommodation, known as a decant, three times in as many years while work on the damp and mould has been undertaken, they say the measures only provide temporary solutions to the issue while the whole building continues to be swamped. Heat treatments have been conducted which have failed to rectify the problem.
While her husband goes to work, Mrs Sullivan says shes working like a slave indoors, locked in a seemingly endless cycle of washing blood-stained bed sheets, where bugs have been squashed in defence or bites have oozed, and trying to rescue moudy, damp clothing. The critters come down air vents and through walls around the clock, in a never-ending ordeal.
At least three of their neighbours, who are experiencing the same issues, notified Sanctuary about the problem before them moving in, the Sullivans said. In an email seen by The Independent, Sanctuary acknowledged that the problem is affecting other residents in the building.
Its too much stress and trauma, she added. I just want somewhere safe to live; a normal house. These are necessities and thats all were asking for. Im not just speaking out for my family. Im fighting for my neighbours and for the people who dont have a voice, experiencing substandard housing all around the country.
Were dealing with this 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Sanctuary Housing? Its ironic.
(Kivanc Sezen)
The couple, who have been Sanctuary tenants since 2006, are both collectors of vintage clothes and items, and say theyve lost thousands of pounds worth of treasured possessions and their clothing due to damp conditions.
My wife suffers with bipolar disorder and has relapsed into depression due to the continual stress of dealing with this, which in turn is affecting my work and career as I am having to take time off to care for her, Mr Sullivan told The Independent.
Its just a nightmare - weve been in this situation for three and a half years, weve taken our money to try and make it as nice as it is for our family to try and make a nice home.
But we havent been able to settle in the whole time weve been here. If its not damp and mould then were all being bitten by bedbugs and kept awake at night. You cant relax and you cant sleep properly.
Mrs Sullivans mental health is deteriorating daily, her worried husband said.
Jades not sleeping. This has created a toxic environment and all we wanna do is relax at home like anyone else would.
This is putting strain on everything - from our relationship to the kids. Its frustrating because its just us against this organsation.
(AFP via Getty Images)
A spokesperson for Sanctuary said: We are in regular contact with Ms Sullivan and can reassure her that we fully understand her concerns and are committed to resolving them as soon as possible.
We have already employed a specialist pest control company to carry out a number of treatments at this property temporarily moving Ms Sullivan and her family into alternative accommodation as necessary and have advised Ms Sullivan we have now arranged for weekly treatments to take place.
We can also confirm that work has been scheduled to investigate the reports of damp and mould in Ms Sullivans home and strongly refute any allegations of discrimination in this case.
Earlier this year, Sanctuarys CEO apologised to Conservative MP Grant Shapps who held the housing association bosses to account for its unacceptable treatment in his Hatfield constituency.
Continue reading here:
Housing provider neglects young family for four years with bed bug infestation and mould outbreak - The Independent
- Pest Index Increased 11% YOY in June - Pest Control Technology - August 1st, 2025
- Doctor Warns This Hotel Room Area Is a Hotspot for Bed Bugs - bestlifeonline.com - August 1st, 2025
- How to Spot Stink Bug Damage on Your Tomatoes Before It Ruins Your Harvest - The Spruce - July 30th, 2025
- Trump? Or bed bugs and mismanagement? Why is Clevelands Reserve Square really in for foreclosure? - Cleveland.com - July 30th, 2025
- Bed bugs infestations on rise in France: how to protect yourself - The Connexion - July 29th, 2025
- Got bed bugs crashing your guest room? - UC Agriculture and Natural Resources - July 29th, 2025
- Dayton makes 2 lists of top bed bug infested cities - Dayton Daily News - July 29th, 2025
- New surveys rank Dayton as one of the worst bed bug-infested cities in the U.S. - WHIO-TV - July 29th, 2025
- Seven signs bed bugs are infesting your home and the best ways to remove them for good - Chronicle Live - July 29th, 2025
- Want an All-Natural Way to Repel Bugs? Put One of These Houseplants in Your Kitchen Today - CNET - July 29th, 2025
- From Itchy Bites to Asthma Triggers: Why One UF/IFAS Scientist Studies Whats Bugging Us - Pest Control Technology - July 27th, 2025
- 4 Michigan cities among Americas worst for bed bugs: Is yours on the list? - MLive.com - July 27th, 2025
- Bed Bug Issue Reported on Disney Cruise Line, Theyre Likely All Over the Ship - disneydining.com - July 25th, 2025
- All about bugs: How to keep your family healthy from creepy crawlies that get too close for comfort - UCHealth - July 25th, 2025
- Bed bugs found in downtown Columbus office building home to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Comp. - The Columbus Dispatch - July 25th, 2025
- Bed bug spotted on the TTC - CityNews Toronto - July 23rd, 2025
- Bed bugs: What to know, how to treat them - WATE 6 On Your Side - July 23rd, 2025
- Target webinar takes bed bug treatment Beyond the Bite - Pest Management Professional - July 23rd, 2025
- How to Find Bed Bugs in the Daytime: 10 Easy Ways! - July 21st, 2025
- Midland resident upset with apartments after living with bed bugs - CBS7 - July 18th, 2025
- Detroit is now the third most bed bug-infested city in America, but theres free help available - MLive.com - July 18th, 2025
- Bed bugs: What to know, how to treat them - NewsNation - July 18th, 2025
- Rocky River Savers finds no evidence of alleged bedbugs, reopens - News 5 Cleveland WEWS - July 18th, 2025
- This 'gross' mattress delivery story is giving me nightmares and reminding me to always check the warranty - Tom's Guide - July 17th, 2025
- Bed bugs: What to know, how to treat them - WANE 15 - July 17th, 2025
- BASF's Adrian Culpepper on 10 Years of Working in the Field with PCOs - Pest Control Technology - July 15th, 2025
- Bed Bug Season Is Here, and These Cities Rank the Highest for Infestation - marthastewart.com - July 13th, 2025
- Fort Wayne Ranked In Top 50 Cities With Bed Bug Problems - wowo.com - July 13th, 2025
- 4 Michigan cities have a problem with bed bugs. What to know about the pests - Detroit Free Press - July 13th, 2025
- These Bed Bug Infestations Taking Over Suburban Homes Are Straight From Your Nightmares! - AOL.com - July 13th, 2025
- Bed Bugs Are Most Active Right NowThese Tips Will Help You Avoid Them - Better Homes & Gardens - July 13th, 2025
- Bed Bugs Are Most Active Right NowThese Tips Will Help You Avoid Them - Yahoo - July 11th, 2025
- Check your vacation rental, hotel for these unwanted guests: What to know about bed bugs - Treasure Coast News - July 11th, 2025
- Summer travel could lead to bed bugs. How to identify risks and avoid an infestation - The News Journal - July 11th, 2025
- Detroit Ranked Among Worst Cities for Bed Bugs in the US - One Green Planet - July 11th, 2025
- How to get rid of flying ants: An experts advice - AOL.com - July 11th, 2025
- Midnight movers: The hidden threat of bedbugs - Review Times - July 11th, 2025
- Wisconsin City Cracks Top Ten On Bed Bug Destination List - Duluth Country Radio - July 11th, 2025
- Bed bugs on the rise: Fort Wayne, South Bend among the worst cities in US - 21Alive - July 11th, 2025
- Bed Bug Season Is Here, and These Cities Rank the Highest for Infestation - AOL.com - July 11th, 2025
- 4 DIY pest control mistakes youre probably making and how to fix them - Country Living Magazine - July 11th, 2025
- This is the most hated bug in Florida, study finds - WKMG - July 11th, 2025
- Whats Behind the Surge in Emergency Room Visits This Summer? - 94.3 The Point - July 11th, 2025
- Toxicity of ivermectin to bed bugs (Cimex hemipterus) and risk factors associated with infestation in Kwale County, coastal Kenya - Parasites &... - July 9th, 2025
- 4 DIY pest control mistakes youre probably making and how to fix them - Yahoo - July 9th, 2025
- 11Alive News: The Take | Bed Bugs Still Biting Atlanta: What to Know (7/7/25) - 11Alive.com - July 9th, 2025
- The Real Dirt On The Difference Between Bugs And Insects - TwistedSifter - July 9th, 2025
- Bed sheets will only be free of bed bugs if washed at 1 specific temperature not 40C - Daily Express - July 7th, 2025
- Pest expert shares most effective method to get rid of bed bugs without chemicals - Daily Express - July 7th, 2025
- Malaysian scientists discover bed bugs can play role in forensic investigations - Asia News Network - July 7th, 2025
- Flint moves up on Orkins annual bedbug report, 3 other Michigan cities named - WNEM - July 5th, 2025
- Which New England cities are on Orkins list of worst bedbugs in 2025? - MassLive - July 5th, 2025
- Michigan has four of the most bed bug-infested cities in the entire country - MLive.com - July 5th, 2025
- Two Iowa Cities Make List Of Top 50 U.S. Bed Bug Cities - newsradio 1040 who - July 5th, 2025
- Malaysian scientists discover bed bugs can help in forensic investigations - The Straits Times - July 5th, 2025
- The Bed Bugs Are Back In Town, And One MN City Is Feeling The Bite - Quick Country 96.5 - July 5th, 2025
- Two Texas Cities in Top 10 of Worst in U.S. for Bed Bugs - KPEL 96.5 - July 5th, 2025
- This unseen pest is wreaking major havoc on homes across MS - Biloxi Sun Herald - July 5th, 2025
- Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, And Lansing Face A Bedbug Crisis - 1077 WRKR - July 3rd, 2025
- Avoid These 50 Cities with the Most Bed Bugs in 2025 - 24/7 Wall St. - July 3rd, 2025
- Chicago Isnt Just the Rattiest City in the U.S.Its the Bed Buggiest Too - Secret Chicago - July 3rd, 2025
- The worst cities for bed bugs in 2025? These Ohio cities made Orkins new list - Cleveland.com - July 3rd, 2025
- Are bedbugs a growing problem in Cedar Rapids? - thegazette.com - July 3rd, 2025
- Richmond ranks 28th amongst cities with bed bug infestation issues - WRIC ABC 8News - July 1st, 2025
- Indiana City Ranked 5th Worst in U.S. for Bed Bugs - 99.5 WKDQ - July 1st, 2025
- The travel mistake everyone makes that puts you at risk of SCABIES, expert warns - Daily Mail - July 1st, 2025
- Chicago named America's most bed bug-infested city for another year - NBC 5 Chicago - July 1st, 2025
- Seoul wrestles with how to handle invasion of lovebugs | South Korea - The Guardian - July 1st, 2025
- Cities Plagued by Bed Bugs and Treatment Options - cleanlink.com - July 1st, 2025
- Chicago Tops Orkin's 2025 Bed Bug Cities List Again as Unexpected Cities Climb the Ranks - PR Newswire - July 1st, 2025
- More Than 100,000 Bed Bugs Found in Massachusetts Apartment - How to Spot Bed Bugs Early - 97.5 WOKQ - July 1st, 2025
- Where Are Bed Bugs Most Common? 10 Countries with the Worst Infestations in 2025 - Pulse Nigeria - July 1st, 2025
- Discover 10 Solutions that Kill Bed Bugs Permanently - AOL.com - July 1st, 2025
- 'Disturbing' find in hoarder's flat teeming with 100,000 bed bugs - The Mirror - June 29th, 2025
- 'Disturbing' find in hoarder's flat infested with 100,000 bed bugs that are spreading - The Mirror US - June 29th, 2025
- Know before you travel: Worst bed bug cities in Florida, how to identify and prevent them - Tallahassee Democrat - June 27th, 2025
- Brookline condo is filled with bed bugs, and they're spreading to other units - NBC Boston - June 27th, 2025
- Boston makes list of most infested cities in the U.S. Here's where it landed - The Patriot Ledger - June 27th, 2025
- Entire Boston condo complex on notice after 100,000 bed bugs found in unit occupied by hoarder: Its disturbing - The Independent - June 27th, 2025
- Disturbing': 100K bed bugs believed to be in Brookline condo as infestation spreads - NBC Boston - June 27th, 2025