Latest news with #blackmould
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I finally found a rental in the crazy property market. Then my son started getting nosebleeds... and I realised our problems were far from over
A single mum and her young son are at a crossroads after their health deteriorated from black mould they found growing in the carpets of their rental. Genevieve, 35, and her 10-year-old son moved into the property in north Brisbane in 2023. About a year into the lease, they both began suffering strange symptoms. 'My son already has asthma but his respiratory problems have gotten worse and he's begun getting nosebleeds,' Genevieve told Daily Mail Australia. 'I have had allergy symptoms like watery eyes, difficulty catching my breath.' Genevieve then made a shocking discovery. Her carpets contained black mould - a fungus that grows in warm, damp areas that can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory problems and even chronic illnesses. Genevieve immediately emailed her real estate agent but said she has received little help in removing it. She found black mould under the carpet (pictured) and later on the walls and her son's belongings and alerted the issue to her landlord - who is now considering his options Despite her best efforts to get rid of the mould herself, it came back with a vengeance, this time contaminating the walls and her son's belongings in his bedroom. 'I sent several emails (to the real estate agent) in March, April and May about the mould and they sent people out to test it,' she said. 'We've had no follow-up since then. The real estate said the landlord is working out his options, but it's been three weeks.' Genevieve said the shortage of affordable homes in Brisbane meant they had decided to stay in the property for now, despite her son's worsening health. 'We're both taking Nasonex, a steroid nasal spray, at night before we go to bed which we were prescribed by the GP,' she said. 'It's specifically for mould allergies - a problem neither of us had before. 'I'm not a doctor but all the health problems seem to be related to the mould spores.' Then, Genevieve received a call from her 'guardian angel'. 'The agent who helped me find this home reached out to me,' she said. 'She called me because I'd applied for another property and she wanted to check how we were doing and if we needed any help. 'She's a remarkable human and incredibly compassionate which is really rare in the property world.' The woman was able to find a new home for Genevieve and her son. 'It's all been renovated and it's a very beautiful, freestanding, two-bedroom rental but the rent is almost $100 more than I pay here,' Genevieve explained. The single mum is worried her landlord will withhold her bond to remove the mould and pay for new carpets, despite her complaints early on in the lease. Without that safety net, Genevieve will struggle to pay the bond for her new home, especially considering she will need to pick up extra shifts to cover the higher rent. Queensland's Rental Tenancies Authority states the burden of who pays for cleaning mould and fixing any damage 'depends on how the mould appeared in the first place'. 'If mould is a result of problems with the property - for example, a leaking roof, or water damage caused by leaking pipework, it is the property manager/owner's responsibility to address the mould and make any necessary repairs,' it said. 'If the tenant has caused the mould to appear - for example, by allowing steam to build up in a bathroom without proper ventilation and/or regular cleaning, they are responsible for cleaning it and paying for any damages that the mould has caused.' A friend recommended Genevieve start a GoFundMe to help with the upcoming costs. In a post on the fundraiser, Genevieve described her new home as 'a fresh start we deeply need - one with light, space, and safety'. 'Moving, as you know, comes with costs: rental bond, upfront rent, moving expenses. 'I'm not in a position to access credit or loans, and asking for financial help is not something I do easily. I've carried shame around this. But I also believe in the power of community and vulnerability. 'If you feel moved to support us, any amount - big or small - would mean the world. Your donation will go directly toward our bond and moving costs to help us settle into a healthy, stable home where we can continue our healing.' The fundraiser has already received more than $2,600 from 35 donors, which Genevieve and her son are grateful for.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Controversial influencer Sophie Guidolin reveals she has been hospitalised and 'just surviving' after being exposed to household toxin
Fitness influencer Sophie Guidolin has shared that she is has been in hospital since May 8 suffering from health issues related to exposure to black mould. The controversial social media star said in her stories on Saturday that she is 'literally just surviving' her condition. The 36-year-old mother-of-four was exposed to the dangerous fungi after her Gold Coast home suffered damage when ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred struck the Queensland coast in March. Taking to her Instagram stories Sophie said things got so serious for her, that she woke up in hospital to find her father had flown in from Adelaide to be by her side. And last week the online celebrity has posted distressing shares to her Instagram revealing that her home has been invested with black mould. 'Sorry guys, since the update of hospitalisation on May 6, I am literally just surviving,' she messaged followers earlier this week. The 36-year-old mother-of-four was exposed to the dangerous fungi after her Gold Coast home suffered damage when ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred struck the Queensland coast in March. Pictured: Sophie updated her followers with this selfie on Instagram this week 'I opened my eyes to find my dad crying at my condition, after flying from Adelaide,' she continued. 'Thanks to my best friend and the serious legends at PRD in Burleigh, allowing sight unseen whilst I was in hospital, the boys are now secure in a 6 month rental with dad caring for them and trying to navigate everything. 'Please note my phone has been off I am unable to speak and am not ignoring anyone 'Just trying too get better as as possible. Again, I will try and get back to everyone soon as possible.' In one post she shared with her followers on Saturday Sophie included a public health service chart that detailed health symptoms related to exposure to mould. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, red eyes, post nasal drip and nasal congestion. The chart also warned that exposure to black mould can also 'trigger or worsen asthma symptoms'. This includes, shortness of breath, wheezing and a dry cough and chest tightness. Sophie also posted a selfie in which she be seen lying in what appears to be a hospital bed hooked up to health monitors and wearing a face mask. 'I'm not ignoring anyone, just having a quick little retreat,' she joked in the caption and added three laughing emojis. She also included a second caption that read, 'Laugh or you will cry,' and added a laughing emoji. It appears the influencer made the post in response to her followers who sent messages asking for a health update. Meanwhile, Sophie's followers responded with words of support on her Instagram, after he recent update. 'Cyclone Alfred has kicked her poor love,' wrote one friend, who added,'Home has been destroyed by black mould.' 'Oh honey I'm so glad your dad is here for you and helping with children,' commented another follower. Elsewhere, Sophie expressed concern about her insurance payout and revealed she was about further spread of the mould through her home. She also detailed an update on her condition. 'My health is very poor...' she said on Instagram. 'I've had multiple hospital admissions and four IV antibiotics and anti fungals so I am just resting and trying to heal as quick as possible.' It comes after Sophie made headlines earlier this month after claiming that she will be out of pocket thousands of dollars due to damage from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Sophie jetted off to Europe with her twin daughters Evie and Aria, nine, before the storm made landfall. The online personality has claimed on Instagram she will have to pay up to $4,000 a week in rent or $76,000 for three months in an Airbnb while she 'rebuilds'. Sophie shares her twin daughters, and sons Ryder, 15, and Kai, 16, with ex-husband Nathan Wallace.
