Latest news with #damp
Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Times
My flat is damp and mouldy. Can I take action?
Q. I moved into a basement studio flat which became damp the first night I stayed. It has been deteriorating ever since. There is now mould on the walls. Under what legislation can I claim? A. Many housing conditions can expose tenants to damp and mould. They may feel unable to open windows because of security or noise concerns, their properties may suffer from poor or inadequate insulation or ventilation, and damp-proofing may be damaged or non-existent. Private and public sector landlords must comply with several pieces of legislation, including the Defective Premises Act 1972, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, Minimum Level of Energy Efficiency standard (2018), the Housing Act 2004, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Decent Homes Standard (2006). These fall into two categories. • Read more expert advice on property, interiors and home improvement First, there are the statutory rights tenants have against their landlords that supplement any obligations set out in their tenancy agreements. Of these the most important are landlords' obligations to repair the structure and exterior of rental properties under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the obligation to ensure properties are fit for human habitation under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Also, landlords have duties to ensure tenants are reasonably safe from personal injury and damage under section 4 of the Defective Premises Act 1972. Tenants routinely bring county court claims for compensation under these provisions and obtain orders for specific performance requiring landlords to remedy damp. Second, there are the housing health and safety standards enforced by local housing authorities as part of their public health functions. If council officers inspect and find damp that poses a risk to tenants' health, they have a range of options. These include the service of Improvement Notices under the Housing Act 2004, more draconian prohibition orders and financial penalties (that is, fines). You can therefore take action yourself under the 1972 and 1985 acts or ask your council to enforce health and housing standards under the Housing Act 2004. Mark Loveday is a barrister with Tanfield Chambers. Email your questions to
BBC News
01-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
East Suffolk Council found to be 'failing' housing block tenants
Tenants in a block of council homes said they were being "failed" after a regulator identified serious issues with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), a government watchdog, inspected East Suffolk Council in its role as a landlord and said it had "serious failings".Issues were raised over the standard of homes as well as damp and mould, but the council said it was addressing Robinson, 47, has lived in a block of East Suffolk Council homes in Lowestoft for the past three years and says it is "horrendous". "It's just not very nice to live in, there's anti-social behaviour, no security, many things," she said. Ms Robinson said she had struggled to get her broken window panes replaced for two years and the main gate into the block was broken - which posed a security risk. She said as a result she was often calling the police."I don't think families should be put here," she added. "The stuff my kid has to deal with is just not right."They just don't care. They don't have the funds maybe to do what it is we need doing." Shauni Stannard, 32, lives with her three children in the same block and felt the conditions were "quite poor"."They give [the block] a deep clean once a month, but that is them coming around with just a brush and brushing away the dirt and dust," she explained."They haven't cleaned the walls; you can't bring too many people here because as you come up the walls it looks like people have put poo, paint, mud, dirt, it's all on the walls."They don't get a proper clean."She was not surprised by the RSH report and said the tenants had been "failed". Andrew Fisher, 33, has also lived in the block for the past five years with his partner and their four children."The conditions just aren't really good enough," he felt."It's filled with asbestos that they were supposed to have [removed] last year; they are now doing it at the end of the six weeks' holiday apparently when they're going to put us into temporary accommodation. "It's not cleaned, they're supposed to come up and clean it all."My partner actually cleans most of it which we're told we're not allowed to do, but we have to because it's disgusting."It's not a very nice place at all." Peter Byatt, leader of the Labour group at East Suffolk Council, said it was a "wake up call" to ensure tenants were being focused on and received the "best they could get".He encouraged residents to come forward and ask for what he thought had gone wrong, Byatt said: "I think it's maybe communication in terms of tenants realising that it's not something they're going to get slapped on the wrist about for not looking after council property properly because that's not what it's about."It's about making sure they get the best and those council houses are our assets, we need to make sure they are in the best condition they can be for our tenants and future tenants." David Beavan, an Independent councillor who is cabinet member for housing, said the council was "incredibly disappointed", but was "entirely committed to addressing" the issues raised."Over the last few months, we have been able to appoint additional capacity to key roles, with further recruitment planned over the coming weeks," he added."We are committed to improving the services and quality of homes we deliver to tenants." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
22-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Thousands of homes at risk of mould & damp through ‘systematic failure' of government scheme – see if yours is affected
TENS of thousands of homes could be at risk of mould and damp thanks to dodgy insulation being installed through Government-backed schemes. Households were encouraged to install the measures through two Government schemes aimed at increasing energy efficiency. 1 But independent body Trustmark previously found "widespread cases of poor-quality solid wall insulation" installed in homes under the schemes. Now the Government has admitted there was a "systematic failure" that could put homes at risk of mould, damp and other serious issues. Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, said in a statement that early evidence suggests a "majority" of installations of solid wall insulation were not done "to the appropriate standard". An audit found examples of poor quality work, including inadequate ventilation or roof-line extensions. The audit is set to be completed later this summer with the results published in the autumn. The two schemes affected are the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme. They were launched by the previous Conservative government in April 2022 and May 2023. The schemes let eligible households apply for free energy-efficiency upgrades, including solid wall insulation, through their energy supplier or local council. They were aimed at keeping homes warmer and lowering bills for households. Solid walls - meaning they have no gaps or cavities - are usually found in properties built before the 1920s. I'm a mum-of-12, I swear by £1.15 bathroom cleaner and £3.25 mould cleaner in our busy house They can be insulated by adding a layer of material to the inside or outside to trap heat. But the initial investigation by Trustmark found: Exposed insulation or poor ventilation that could lead to damp and mould A "very small number" of properties with serious health and safety concerns, such as incorrectly fitted wiring More minor issues, such as missing or incorrect paperwork. What if I'm affected? Not all homes that had this insulation fitted will be unsafe or at risk. If it's thought you've been affected then you'll be contacted automatically by energy regulator Ofgem. The Government previously said households can expect to receive a letter from Ofgem explaining how it will check if your home is impacted. If any issues are found, you will not have to pay to get it fixed - the company that originally installed it will be required to fix it for you. If the firm has gone out of business, you should be covered by a £20,000 guarantee. Ms Fahnbulleh said: "I know this news will be concerning for people who have had external or internal wall insulation fitted through either scheme we have inherited. "That is why we are taking action to put this right, forcing installers to fix any poor-quality installations as soon as possible and at their own expense. "Affected households should look out for a letter from Ofgem, which will set out steps to resolve any issues." How else can I insulate my home? There are plenty of other safe ways to insulate your home. You could try adding a layer of mineral wool or sheep wool to your loft or in your roof. It costs around £900 to insulate a semi-detached home with 270mm of loft insulation, the Energy Saving Trust says. But it could save you around £230 a year, meaning you would make the cost back in around three years. Avoid getting spray foam insulation installed as this could actually damage your home and make it difficult to sell. You can also draught-proof your windows and doors yourself on the cheap to prevent heat escaping to save around £40 a year. A roll of draught insulation tape costs around £5, or you can get a professional in for around £250. Inefficient boilers can also cost you money on your energy bills.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
You're now more likely to have mould than a 50-inch TV at home – five cheap ways to get rid of it NOW
YOUR home is more likely to have issues with mould, condensation or damp than to have a large screen TV. Six million homes have problems with mould, while an estimated five million homes have TVs with screens larger than 50 inches, according to new analysis of the Centre for Ageing Better. 1 Mould can wreak havoc on your home and health including worsening asthma, eczema and allergies, and in the most severe cases, death. The charity's report, which looked at owned homes in England, said poor housing quality hits older people the hardest, with 31% of those over 55 living in unsafe, non-decent homes. This is defined as one with a hazard or immediate threat to a person's health, not in a reasonable state of repair, without modern facilities or not effectively insulated or heated. There's a postcode lottery of housing quality across the country, with older homeowners in the East Midlands twice as likely (21%) to live in a non-decent home than those in London (10%). The highest number of non-decent homes owned by someone aged 55 and over is in the North West (212,000), followed by the South West (195,000), the South East (184,000), the East Midlands (176,000) and Yorkshire and the Humber (162,000). Meanwhile, older homeowners in the poorest 20% of the income distribution are twice as likely to live in a non-decent home as those in the richest 20%. Dr Carole Easton OBE, chief executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: 'Too many people are living in homes that have mould, or are damp and cold, putting their health and wellbeing at risk. 'This risk is intensified for older residents who are more vulnerable to the health consequences of living in damp, cold, and hazardous homes which can worsen conditions like asthma, heart conditions, and falls in the home, and lead to life-changing or life-threatening repercussions." How the quality of homes varies across the UK BELOW is the percentage of owned homes with a household head aged 55 and over that are non-decent. North East - 12% North West - 18% Yorkshire and the Humber - 18% West Midlands - 14% East Midlands - 21% London - 10% East of England - 12% South West - 18% South East - 12% How to get rid of condensation Condensation occurs when warm air hits a cooler surface and creates moisture. Left alone, it can create mould and mildew. To tackle mould, you want to prevent condensation from occurring in the first place. Keep your home well-ventilated We may be in the middle of summer, but you'll likely still be having a warm shower from time to time. To avoid steam clinging to your bathroom walls, make sure you open any windows and turn on any extractor fans. Keep the bathroom door closed after you've showered as well, to stop any excess steam escaping into the rest of the house. You can use the trickle vents on windows or keep a quarter light open for background ventilation. Trickle vents are small vents that can be added to the top of windows and allow a constant stream of air in and out. Dry clothes outside Hanging your wet laundry inside can create condensation as the moisture from them escapes into the air. Instead, hang your clothes up outside, even if there's a slight chance of rain. Alternatively, you can use a closed room with the window open. Try using tech If you've done everything you can to avoid excess moisture escaping into the air, try using tech such as a dehumidifier to get rid of it. They remove excess water from the air, helping to combat condensation and prevent mould growth. You don't have to spend a fortune on them either, with Dunelm selling a one litre option for just £25. You can buy moisture absorbing tabs too, and they cost as little as £6.99 for a two-pack from Screwfix. They work by absorbing any excess moisture, neutralising bad smells and can last for months. How to get rid of mould Use household items If it's too late, and any condensation has had a chance to flourish and turn into mould, you can start removing it for nothing. Experts say a few drops of washing up liquid mixed with warm water can work on smaller areas of mould on hard surfaces like walls or floors. Simply use a sponge, cloth, or brush to work the soapy solution in small circular motions over the mould. If you're trying to remove particularly stubborn mould, try a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and warm water and pour it into a spray bottle to target the affected area. If you've got a bit more in your budget, you can try a mould or mildew remover spray from your nearest supermarket or retailer. You can get it as cheap as £1.24 at Asda or £1.49 from Wilko, at the time of writing. Call in the professionals You can usually treat smaller patches of mould yourself, but if the problem has gotten out of hand, you might need to call someone in. Checkatrade says it costs £25-£35 per hour or £200-£400 per room to call someone in for mould removal. Meanwhile, if you want a specialist to come and take a look to inspect for any mould, that will cost you around £50-£300. How can I remove mould if it's already there? THERE are several easy and low-cost ways to remove mould from your home. Bleach is usually all you need if you neither own nor want to buy specialised cleaning sprays and paints. If using bleach, mix four parts of water with one part of bleach. You'll also need a stiff brush, a bucket of water with cloth, and another cloth for drying. Apply your solution to the affected areas, including a few inches around the visible mould to kill any mould not yet visible. Scrub it firmly with a strong brush. Wait as long as possible or until the mould disappears from sight and rinse the treated areas thoroughly. Pat dry the area and allow it to completely dry before moving any furniture or placing items in front of it.
Irish Times
07-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
‘Heartbreak after heartbreak': Sallynoggin residents protest mouldy, damp council flat conditions
'They take their toys out to play, but they're covered in mould. They take their books out to read at night time, but they're covered in mould. They ask if they can have a play date or a sleepover, and I have to say no, because I'm terrified that another child is going to get sick. Everything has just been stripped away from the kids.' Katie Byrne lives in the Pearse maisonettes in Sallynoggin, south Dublin , with her partner and two children: a daughter aged 10 and a son aged 5. The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council - owned flat is a two-bedroom maisonette built in the 1950s that is mouldy and damp. When the family first moved in seven years ago, the flat was newly painted and felt fresh, but it didn't take long for the black mould to appear along skirting boards and around the windows. READ MORE Katie Byrne said dealing with the damp housing had been 'heartbreak after heartbreak after heartbreak'. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/ The Irish Times Kim Joyce and her daughter Romi (6) with tenants from Sallynoggin and surrounding areas protesting at the offices of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council about the conditions and maintenance of council homes. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/ The Irish Times While at the start, Byrne wiped it away and bought dehumidifiers, it did not keep the mould and damp at bay.. Now, black mould covers their blinds, mattresses, clothing, shoes, bed spread and even the couch. Byrne describes the 'constant sickness' that hangs over the home 'like a jail sentence'. Her son was discharged from hospital last week after contracting a fungal infection in his eye from the mould in his room; her daughter has had several perforated eardrums because of the high moisture levels in the house; and Byrne was hospitalised with pneumonia over the winter. 'When you're a mother, you want the best for your kids, but this is constant. They're sick, they're missing school, they can't go to activities. They can't go to birthday parties. They can't have a birthday party here, they can't have their friends over here,' she says. Byrne was among residents who protested at the offices of Dún Laoghaire -Rathdown County Council on Monday over their living conditions. Residents say the council homes are dangerous and not fit for habitation. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times The protest, organised by the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU), aimed to put pressure on the council to rehouse tenants and make progress with plans for redevelopment. Protesters left a letter for council representatives outlining the 'unacceptable conditions' people were living in, 'particularly extreme dampness and mould', that were 'not being addressed through the existing housing maintenance procedures'. The letter asked for all residents of the maisonette flats in Sallynoggin and Monkstown Farm to be 'rehoused as a matter of urgency' and for a 'comprehensive retrofit programme' in council houses in Sallynoggin and Oratory Court. It also asked for a meeting between senior management within the council, residents and representatives from CATU, 'within four weeks'. Meanwhile, for residents like Byrne, the impact of their living conditions continues to take a toll on their day-to-day lives. 'It's just constant heartbreak after heartbreak after heartbreak,' Byrne says.
