A Bristol mother has broken her silence about the horrific living conditions that have turned her family home into what she describes as a "nightmare" property, plagued by rats, dangerous mould, and structural damage that the council has allegedly failed to properly address for years.
The Unliveable Conditions
Kelly Shergold, 37, has detailed the shocking state of her council property in Hartcliffe, where she lives with her three children. The family's daily reality includes:
- Persistent rat infestations requiring multiple exterminator visits
- Black mould spreading across walls and ceilings
- A collapsing kitchen ceiling that required emergency repairs
- Damp conditions affecting the children's health
- Years of complaints with inadequate council response
A Mother's Desperate Struggle
"I'm at breaking point," Kelly revealed. "We've been living in these disgusting conditions for years, and it's taking a massive toll on my children's health and wellbeing. The council knows about these problems but nothing ever gets properly fixed."
The situation became so dire that the kitchen ceiling partially collapsed, forcing the family to rely on temporary fixes that failed to address the underlying issues. Despite numerous complaints and visits from pest control, the rat problem persists, with Kelly reporting seeing rodents "running around like they own the place."
Health Impacts and Emotional Toll
The damp and mould have had serious consequences for the family's health, particularly affecting her children. Kelly described how her son has developed breathing problems, while the constant stress of living in such conditions has taken an emotional toll on everyone.
"It's embarrassing having people over," she admitted. "I shouldn't have to live like this, and my children definitely shouldn't. We pay our rent, we deserve a safe, clean home."
Council Response Under Scrutiny
Bristol City Council has faced criticism for their handling of the situation. While they've conducted some repairs and pest control visits, Kelly insists these are temporary solutions that don't address the root causes of the problems.
Local housing advocates have pointed to this case as emblematic of wider issues within social housing, where tenants often feel their concerns are dismissed or inadequately addressed by local authorities.
A Cry for Help
Kelly's decision to speak out comes from desperation after years of fighting what feels like a losing battle. "I've had enough of being fobbed off," she stated. "Maybe by going public, someone will finally listen and help us get the proper repairs we need."
The family's story highlights the ongoing challenges many social housing tenants face across the UK, where inadequate maintenance and slow response times can leave vulnerable families living in conditions that fall far below acceptable standards.
