How we work to battle the dangers of dampness and mould in homes

The tragic story of Awaab Ishak and his death in 2020 has created a ‘defining moment’ for the UK housing sector, with the coroner recording a verdict of death caused “as a direct result of black mould in the flat he lived in.”

Awaab died a week after his 2nd birthday and was described as an ‘engaging, lively, endearing’ by his close relatives. You can read more information about Awaab’s tragic case in this article published by the Guardian.

This case alone is chilling but the fact remains that Awaab will not be the only child living in a property of declining living standards, especially where mould issues are concerned. The article estimates that there are about 450,000 homes in England which have problems with damp and mould. We believe that this warrants serious consideration regarding what preventative measures can be put in place to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.

With a cold winter approaching and soaring fuel bills, there is only so much that residents can do to manage these conditions on their own. While some may see this as a lower priority amidst the cost of living crisis, here at Citizens Advice Gateshead we see this as an opportunity to positively impact people’s lives. Over the past year, our Social Welfare Advisers have made a real impact on the issue of damp and mould growth, when dealing with housing complaints.

Mila’s disrepair dispute

Mila and her partner were secure tenants and there had been disrepair in the property from the beginning of their tenancy. This included excessive coldness, lack of ventilation, dampness, and mould growth. They had reported these issues to the landlord on numerous occasions but had been told the issues were a result of condensation due to their use of the property. The living conditions were unsuitable, and their young son had suffered several ear and chest infections. They contacted us for advice about re-housing, having become frustrated with trying to challenge the landlord to improve the conditions in their home.

We provided the family with advice about their rights and the obligations of their landlord to carry out the repair work. Even though they wanted the repairs done, the landlord was reluctant, denying liability and demanding they produce proof of the course of the mould.

We were able to secure charitable funding to pay for the report, and it found several structural issues around the ventilation and air flow, leading to the issues faced by the family. Faced with this evidence and the threat of legal action, we were able to negotiate a settlement where all works were completed within 3 months and Mila and her family received compensation from the landlord.

When a situation becomes deadlocked in this way, it’s crucial that families have someone on their side who can navigate the system and get them the result they deserve. The more work we can do challenging these horrible living conditions the closer we will get to a world where children do not have to face the tragic consequences suffered by Awaab Ishak.