Family forced to live in a tent after mould infestation makes house "unliveable"
A family of five have been forced to live in a tent in their backyard after their home was overrun with an infestation of black mould that was making their children sick.
Andrew Walsh-Baldwin and his wife Angalina took the drastic measure to move into the backyard of their $480,000 property in Victoria after the toxic mould in their newly purchased home caused all three of their young kids to fall ill.
Their home has been rendered "unliveable" by construction experts, who said their home has not allowed for proper drainage during the unprecedented amount of rain.
Ms Walsh-Baldwin broke down in tears when talking to Nine News, as she said "it's been freezing" living in the tent.
A family of five is living in a tent, after heavy rain caused black mould to flourish in their home.
Serious building defects in the newly purchased property are also contributing to the spread, which is making the kids sick. @reid_butler9 #9News pic.twitter.com/IR1AqLNpI3
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) November 21, 2022
"This was supposed to be our home," she said.
Her husband Baldwin said, "The other week we got 190ml (of rain). I can't believe... we've got to this point."
"The kids have been getting sick and missed a full term of kinder," he said. "You just feel inadequate now because, as a parent, we've failed."
Dr Cameron Jones of Biological Health Services, who inspected the house, said it was among the worst cases of mould he'd ever seen.
"When I've done moisture testing on the timbers, they're showing anywhere from 20 to 30 per cent plus," he said, before revealing the safe level is a maximum of 15 per cent.
Building inspector Zeher Khalil, who is helping the family out free of charge, said what he found at the house is "unbelievable".
"To pay $480,000 for this house, I mean I just feel like I've been ripped off," he said.
The family is insured with Allianz, but their claims were rejected because the company said the defects were pre-existing, with Ms Walsh-Baldwin saying, "We've got rights too."
Image credits: Nine News