A desperate council tenant claims repeated complaints over foul-smelling drainwater seeping through her floors and walls are falling on deaf ears.

Emma Edwards, 20, has begged East Kent Housing to investigate the spread of mould throughout her ground-floor Canterbury flat.

Officials visited last year, telling her the problem was condensation – and that she should open her windows.

But Ms Edwards says independent surveyors have identified a blocked drain and recommend a “full decontamination” of the flat.

Ms Edwards, who has mental health issues, says the flat in Tennyson Avenue has since become uninhabitable and that the problem has left her feeling suicidal.

“The mould has gone everywhere – the walls, the carpet, my bed, my wardrobe.

“I’ve had repeated sore throats and colds,” she said.

“I’ve given them [East Kent Housing] the benefit of the doubt but it’s obvious a couple of open windows won’t solve this.”

Ms Edwards and her mother Dawn Brazier were so concerned about the darkening stains that they called in pro bono surveyors Mould Detectives.

The surveyors’ report recommends a “full decontamination” due to “mould presence… noticeable throughout the entire property which has contaminated a large amount of personal belongings.”

The report states: “It is our opinion the mould and damp in the flat are not the fault of the tenant, environmental conditions or condensation.”

It adds: “The drain at the rear of the building appears to be blocked and overgrown; there are signs of water damage and moisture ingress into the property.”

Ms Edwards said: “When I was shown around the flat last September it had just been decorated and the floor cement was still wet. I asked why that was and the lady couldn’t tell me why.”

Ms Edwards says she moved in two weeks later, and the floor still felt slightly damp. She assumed this would dry and paid for new carpets and furniture.

By December, she noticed black marks around her window edges and rang the council with her concerns.

She says she was told the likely cause was condensation and that she should open her windows to air the flat and turn up the heating.

“I did that, but about two months ago I noticed the bed was damp,” said Ms Edwards.

“I thought, let’s give them credit, it’s probably condensation too. It will go. I put a duvet over the mattress so that I was sleeping between two duvets.

“Two weeks ago I was changing the bedding and realised there was mould everywhere.

“I started sleeping on the sofa, and quickly realised it was in the wardrobe too. I keep stuff in cardboard boxes and the cardboard has gone soggy.”

Ms Edwards says she lodged two complaints shortly after the bank holiday weekend, but she was still being told the likely cause is condensation.

On Tuesday, East Kent Housing sent a contractor to investigate, but its managers say the findings are not yet known.

Ms Edwards said: “The flat isn’t fit for humans. It’s disgusting.

“I suffer with mental health problems and this has left me feeling very depressed and at times suicidal.”