An Isleworth family are reaching desperation with their Hounslow Homes residence as they claim cramped, damp conditions have left them with health problems.

Nina Hartnell, 27, lives in a two bedroom flat on Wheatley Road with her partner and their four children. They are also joined at the weekends by her partner Roger's two children from a previous relationship.

Four of the children have developed asthma while living in the house. When the children began to develop respiratory problems they were taken to see a doctor. All four are now prescribed asthma inhalers and Nina believes it is because of the flat's damp conditions.

A private surveyor has visited the flat on the family's request to investigate the property. Nina explained: "We had a weird dark patch appearing on the walls. We had it tested and it was a damp of some kind, but of what kind they didn't know."

However, when a Council surveyor visited the property they said the flat was suffering from condensation, not damp, caused by the number of people residing there.

While Nina does not accept the council's diagnosis, she agrees that there are too many people in the flat: "Before my partner moved in I was told that I was entitled to a four bedroom property but we are still in a two bedroom flat, even now that he lives here too."

And the large number of occupants in the flat is causing further problems with elderly nearby neighbours, who complain about the noise.

"We aren't having parties or playing loud music. It's just the noise that a large family generates," Nina said, and moving to a larger flat would "help them and help us."

However, the family are struggling to relocate as they are only categorised as band C, which is not a high relocation priority. Nina, who is now suffering from depression brought on by her situation, must look in the Locata magazine at her local library and then bid for suitable housing.

The family are hoping this relocation will come quickly. "As it is, there is no room. It's a hazard to be living like this."

A spokesperson for Hounslow Homes said: "The family's concern about rising damp in their home was recently followed up by one of our Technical Advisor's. It was found that condensation was high and it was appropriate to carry out a full specialist investigation. This has been completed together with damp specialist firm, Fox Preservation.

"The specialist report revealed no evidence of rising damp but on the advice of a condensation expert, fans will now be installed at the home in both hallway and the kitchen to dispel condensation.

This recommendation is in the process of being carried out. "

However, Miss Hartnell has said she will refuse to have the fans installed due to the flat's location close to Mogden sewage treatment works.

Other solutions have also been turned down, as Hounslow Homes explained: "There has been a history of noise nuisance complaints associated with the Hartnell family. Both the family and the neighbours who have complained have been offered mediation, which both have refused."

The Hartnell family may have to wait a while for a new home. The spokesperson added: "The supply of housing for two bedroom houses and above is limited and the number of people wanting to move up is in excess. Our priorities are for the families who do not even have a roof over their heads."