A Borehamwood mother claims her family's health is suffering because of damp problems in the home they rent from the town's biggest housing association.

Christine Robson, 44, lives in a three-bedroom house in Greenside, owned by William Sutton Homes, with her husband David, 16-year-old son Scott and daughter Sabrina, 12. Both children suffer from chronic asthma and Mr Robson has been diagnosed with emphysema. All three bedrooms and the bathroom have large patches of damp on their walls and ceilings. Mrs Robson, who first contacted William Sutton last October, said: "Both the hospital and the doctor have written letters saying that the damp problem is affecting our health and the house is not suitable for our family, I have sent these to William Sutton. "Previously I had been told to wipe the damp down with bleach, which is not acceptable. "Sabrina is in a small room which cannot fit a full-size bed, so I cannot buy a specialist asthmatic bed for her." But a representative from the housing association insisted it had been attempting to resolve the Robsons' problems. Conrad Smith, William Sutton regional manager, said: "We have been working hard to address Mrs Robson's needs and have suggested a programme of work. We would like to carry out damp repair work and to increase the size of the third bedroom. "We offered to move the family into temporary accommodation while the work is carried out but our offer has previously been declined. "We have agreed to an independent medical assessment being undertaken. This unfortunately has not yet taken place due to Mrs Robson not providing the necessary paperwork." But Mrs Robson has said the family's only option is to move to a new house. She added: "William Sutton was going to put us into temporary accommodation like a hotel or bed and breakfast while they carried out the work."But homeless charity Shelter told me to refuse it because it was not suitable for Sabrina's medical condition as she needs a fridge for her medication. "Nothing has happened and no one is giving me any answers despite me ringing them so many times, I just want something to be done which will be safe for my family." Mrs Robson believes the problems are so serious that she could lose her job as a childminder as she is due to under an Ofsted inspection of her home.