A pair of roommates decided to ditch their £1,300-a-month flat – after discovering huge mushrooms growing through the floor. Cousins Alissa Barton, 32, and Lara Norbury, 24, did not spot any fungus when they moved into the property, they say.
But, in January, they noticed a mushroom behind the TV – and more appeared in the following weeks.
Alissa, who works in property, described the find as “horrible” and says she is worried it has affected her health.
The grim discovery prompted her and Lara, an emergency worker, to leave the flat in Disley, Cheshire.
Alissa said: “It started with one tiny one and it just bloomed so quick.”
“Within six to eight weeks it went from one to 15 at least – that we can see. I sent an online report to the estate agent, uploaded pictures of the mushrooms.
“She just emailed me back and said ‘it’s probably just a bit cold and damp in that particular area… It just needs removing and the area needs wiping down with a surface cleaner’.
“I was disgusted – it’s not my job to remove fungus and stuff when I’m paying £1,300 a month to live here.”
Alissa and Lara have now decided to leave the apartment due to the fungus.
Estate agents Bridgfords said: “We received a repair request via our online portal including a picture of clean, cracked floor boards with no mould or fungi present. We also received a separate picture of one point of mould at the bottom of a wall. On receipt a call was put into the tenant but there was no reply.
“We of course want to ensure all repairs are handled correctly and promptly, in this instance the full extent of the issue was not known.
“The tenant, had given notice and was due to vacate the property, based on the information provided, a decision was taken that a floor uplift and damp review when the property was vacant would be less disruptive.”
