Blind man slams Housing Executive over mite infestation in his Limavady home

A Limavady man who claims his home is infested by mites has hit out at Northern Ireland Housing Executive for failing to take action to address the problem.

Gareth Logue moved into his Gorteen Crescent home back in 2022 however he has described the last two years of his tenancy as a 'nightmare'.

He claims the Housing Executive property is overrun by mites, which he believes are coming down from the attic and into the rooms.

The local dad says he has suffered bites on his legs and face, alongside friends and family members who have also come to visit.

He claims he has been forced to throw away three beds, bedding and clothes due to the issue with the property.

Mr Logue, who is registered blind, says the situation has severely affected his mental health and he has even tried to take his own life because of it.

“When I moved into this house the water was running down the walls, the damp was awful, the house never had any heat on and there was ivy growing all over the walls. The pipes weren't even long enough to take to water out to the drain so the water was running along the cavity wall and down onto the floor. The tiles that were down were soaking underneath so I took them off and put down a new floor,” Gareth said.

“I was told that the house was in that bad of a condition that I shouldn't take it, but I was desperate.”

Gareth says the insulation in the attic was also 'soaking' due to missing roof tiles and he was forced to remove it at his own expense however he claims the Housing Executive have now hit him with a bill for £800 to replace it.

“I put in new windows, new skirting boards, I changed the guttering and got the whole house plastered, all at my own expense because I want a nice house but I feel I can't have that because of these mites,” he said.

Gareth says he has spent hundreds of pounds on insect killer and getting the house fumigated in an effort to get rid of the mites however nothing has worked.

He even contacted the Environmental Health team at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council however he said they told him it was a Housing Executive matter.

“The mites are coming into every room,” he continued.

“My wee girl came to stay with me over the summer and she was getting bit, my friend was getting bit on the back of his neck, my brother painted a room for me and he was bit and my legs are covered in bites from these mites.

ABOVE: A picture of a mark on Mr Logue's leg which he says has been caused by bites.

“I went to the doctor about the marks on my legs and he confirmed it was bite marks. My two dogs were constantly scratching and biting themselves and I took them to the vet and they said it was mites.

“I bought three sets of beds but I had to throw them out. The benches and the cupboards are covered in mites. I can't even put food in the cupboards and I can't prepare food on the benches.

“When you are standing in any room you can feel the mites on your face. I can't keep clothes in the house, I need to put them in black bin bags and store them outside of the house.

“I have more sensitivity because of my blindness and I can feel them all over the cupboards and on the benches, I can't set anything down at all because they are all over it.

“I have to lie with a damp cloth on top of my eyes at night so they don't go into my eyes.

“My own daughter can't even come and stay in the house because of it as her skin comes out in red lumps.

“I tried to take my own life because of it all, it's had a major impact on my mental health.”

The Limavady man says he has contacted the Housing Executive many times about the issue but they have failed to do anything.

“I moved into this house two years ago and the house should have been done up then. I feel they are taking advantage of a person who can't see.

“I went down to the Housing Executive, showed them photos of my legs and the mites sitting on the window sills but nothing is done. They tell me 'I'll pass the message on' or 'the person you need to speak to isn't in'. They did send one person up and they put a new back door and front door on for me but I had to fight for that.

“I feel they are taking the hand because of my eyesight. I don't want to be running to them constantly complaining. I want a lovely house to live in and I can't have people coming into my house and thinking it is dirty. What's the point in me putting money in to this house if I have to dump everything?

“I think the Housing Executive need to buck up their ideas and start helping people, especially people with a disability,” he added.

A Housing Executive spokesperson yesterday said: “Our contractor has attended this property last week and could find no evidence of infestation.

“A separate pest control company will attend the property today (Monday, 18 November 2024) and will carry out a further inspection.

“Advice and treatments will be offered, if anything is found.”