We’re being forced to sleep OUTSIDE after horrendous stench filled our home…it’s so bad it’s made us feel sick
A DISTRESSED woman has been forced to sleep outside after a horrible stench filled her home.
Linda Porter and her daughter Tara, who live in Maidstone, said the sewage smell was so bad it made them sick for days.
Linda claimed the issue began last Friday and has even unable to step onto her house in Bethersden Court even since.
The 51-year-old said: “My neighbours have all been in, they’ve got as far as the front door, took one breath, gagged, and carried on gagging as they turned back out to walk out.”
Unable to put up with the overpowering smell, Linda and her daughter, 17, have been camping at the doorstep.
She slammed: “We were unable to eat indoors because the smell was so bad.
“If we do go in there, we have to have all the doors and windows open and be in and out as soon as possible.
“The smell is in every single room.”
Linda has set a heater to survive through the cold nights but she is now worried her daughter’s health is be at risk as she suffers from a weak immune system.
The pair have been living out off takeaways and their neighbour’s kindness – as they cannot stay in the property and cook.
“We stayed out there all night, and some of the neighbours have been bringing us cups of tea to try and keep us warm.
“One of them even put a gazebo up for us in case it rains,” she added.
When contacting housing association Golding Homes, the shocked mum was told they wouldn’t send a specialist until the next Monday.
Despite sending a drainage inspector to their property, the frustrated resident said they never came back to fix the sewage.
Linda, who suffers osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and high blood pressure, said her health is at risk.
She explained: “The smell was absolutely horrendous. I contacted my GP because me and my daughter were and still are feeling quite ill.”
“The doctor said to me they couldn’t express how soon we needed to contact Golding Homes, more so for my daughter’s safety.
“They said she could go to sleep in that house and she may not wake up.”
Ms Porter is now slamming Golding Homes for not doing enough.
She fumed: “Golding Homes has said they want a letter from the GP, which they’re prepared to do but it’s going to cost me £40,” she said.
“I haven’t got £40 and why should I have to pay for something that’s not my fault?
“We had to put our dog down on Friday and have her cremated on Saturday, this is just adding even more stress to that.”
Golding Homes spokesperson Rachel McFarlane said: “We’re sorry for the distress caused to Ms Porter and her family.
“Their welfare is important to us and we’re looking into the cause of the smell and to sort it out.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to support the family, working with Ms Porter to resolve the matter, including offering alternative temporary accommodation should this be required.
“We’re looking further into the possible causes, and we’ve arranged to send cameras down the drains this week. We’ll keep working with the family until the issue is fully resolved.“