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Black mould: How dangerous is it in the home and how can it be treated? Black mould: How dangerous is it in the home and how can it be treated?
(5 days later)
Exposure to mould can cause respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma, and can sometimes be fatal. Living in mouldy properties can cause respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma, and can sometimes be fatal.
In 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould in his home in Rochdale. In 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died as a result of the mould in his home in Rochdale.
Under new government proposals, dubbed "Awaab's law", social housing landlords in England could be forced to repair mouldy properties much more quickly. The previous, Conservative government promised "Awaab's law" would force social housing landlords in England to fix mouldy properties more quickly - but it was not introduced.
Labour's new renters' rights bill will make these requirements compulsory for social and private landlords.
What is black mould?What is black mould?
Mould - sometimes referred to by the American spelling mold - is a microscopic fungus that grows in damp places.Mould - sometimes referred to by the American spelling mold - is a microscopic fungus that grows in damp places.
Mould spores are found everywhere, and are released in their thousands into the atmosphere.Mould spores are found everywhere, and are released in their thousands into the atmosphere.
Signs of mould at home include fuzzy black, white or green patches on the walls, and a damp and musty smell.Signs of mould at home include fuzzy black, white or green patches on the walls, and a damp and musty smell.
Can black mould affect your health and what are the symptoms?Can black mould affect your health and what are the symptoms?
People living with mould are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses, infections, allergies or asthma, external.People living with mould are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses, infections, allergies or asthma, external.
Inhaling or touching the spores that mould releases into the air can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and a skin rash.Inhaling or touching the spores that mould releases into the air can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and a skin rash.
Mould can also trigger asthma attacks and cause coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.Mould can also trigger asthma attacks and cause coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.
Each year, the NHS in England spends an estimated £1.4bn on treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing, according to building research body BRE, external.Each year, the NHS in England spends an estimated £1.4bn on treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing, according to building research body BRE, external.
Those more at risk from mould include the elderly, children and babies, as well as people with existing respiratory illnesses and some skin problems.Those more at risk from mould include the elderly, children and babies, as well as people with existing respiratory illnesses and some skin problems.
Two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his homeTwo-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his home
Two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his homeTwo-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his home
What causes mould in houses and how do you remove it?What causes mould in houses and how do you remove it?
Condensation is the leading cause of mould in homes across the UK.Condensation is the leading cause of mould in homes across the UK.
It most commonly occurs in parts of the home where there are high moisture levels: bathrooms, kitchens, and around windows.It most commonly occurs in parts of the home where there are high moisture levels: bathrooms, kitchens, and around windows.
When air cools, water vapour forms into water droplets as it comes into contact with surfaces in the home that are below a temperature known as the dew point.When air cools, water vapour forms into water droplets as it comes into contact with surfaces in the home that are below a temperature known as the dew point.
These surfaces can include uninsulated external walls or windows.These surfaces can include uninsulated external walls or windows.
If left untreated, the surface can become damp and create the conditions for mould to grow.If left untreated, the surface can become damp and create the conditions for mould to grow.
Older and poorly insulated properties are more prone to this.Older and poorly insulated properties are more prone to this.
Mould can also be caused by daily tasks which create excess moisture such as showering, cooking and drying washing indoors.Mould can also be caused by daily tasks which create excess moisture such as showering, cooking and drying washing indoors.
Taking shorter showers and wiping down surfaces afterwards can help, as can improving ventilation and opening kitchen windows or using an extractor fan when cooking.Taking shorter showers and wiping down surfaces afterwards can help, as can improving ventilation and opening kitchen windows or using an extractor fan when cooking.
It is also important to check for leaky pipes or gutters which can make the problem worse.It is also important to check for leaky pipes or gutters which can make the problem worse.
What rights do tenants have if their home has mould?What rights do tenants have if their home has mould?
Private and social landlords have a responsibility to make sure homes are safe and in good repair. All landlords have a responsibility to make sure homes are safe and in good repair.
In private and social rental properties, it is the landlord's responsibility to fix a mould problem which is due to poor maintenance, according to the housing charity Shelter, external. In both private and social rental properties, it is the landlord's responsibility to fix a mould problem which is due to poor maintenance, according to the housing charity Shelter, external.
If the mould is so bad that your home becomes unfit for habitation, then you could be classed as homeless and entitled to emergency accommodation.If the mould is so bad that your home becomes unfit for habitation, then you could be classed as homeless and entitled to emergency accommodation.
But landlords may not be responsible if there is evidence a tenant has not been ventilating the home correctly.But landlords may not be responsible if there is evidence a tenant has not been ventilating the home correctly.
Mayor pledges to tackle rogue landlords
Mayor pledges to tackle rogue landlords
What does Awaab Ishak's death tell us about England's housing?
What does Awaab Ishak's death tell us about England's housing?
Who was Awaab Ishak?Who was Awaab Ishak?
Awaab Ishak died shortly after his second birthdayAwaab Ishak died shortly after his second birthday
Awaab Ishak died shortly after his second birthdayAwaab Ishak died shortly after his second birthday
In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould in his home.In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
He lived in a one-bedroom flat in Rochdale with his father Faisal Abdullah and Faisal's wife Aisha Amin.He lived in a one-bedroom flat in Rochdale with his father Faisal Abdullah and Faisal's wife Aisha Amin.
Mr Abdullah reported mould developing in the flat to his housing association, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), in 2017, but was told to paint over it. Mr Abdullah reported the mould to his housing association, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), in 2017, but was told to paint over it.
In June 2020, he instructed solicitors to issue a claim over the recurring mould, but repairs had to wait until the case was settled. In June 2020, he instructed solicitors to issue a claim over the recurring mould, but repairs had to wait until the legal case was settled.
Awaab was taken to Rochdale Urgent Care Centre on 19 December that year with shortness of breath, and died a few days later after suffering respiratory and cardiac arrest. Awaab was taken to Rochdale Urgent Care Centre on 19 December that year with shortness of breath, and died a few days later.
What would landlords have to do about mould under "Awaab's law"? What is Awaab's law and what will it mean for landlords?
The government has announced plans to ensure social housing providers in England address hazards such as damp and mould more quickly. In January 2024, the then, Conservative government announced plans to ensure social housing providers in England to address hazards such as damp and mould much more quickly.
Social landlords would have to investigate issues within 14 days and begin fixing them within a further seven days. Emergency repairs would have to be made within 24 hours. Under Awaab's law, social landlords would have to investigate issues within 14 days and begin fixing them within a further seven days. Emergency repairs would have to be made within 24 hours.
Landlords who fail to comply could be taken to court and ordered to pay compensation. Landlords who failed to comply could be taken to court and ordered to pay compensation.
A consultation on the proposals, external closed on 5 March. However, the planned legislation was eventually scrapped, ahead of July's general election.
The government previously said it would bring Awaab's Law into force "as soon as practically possible" after the consultation. And Labour is now introducing a revised, renters' rights bill, external, which will extend Awaab's law to cover private landlords as well.
What is the position in the rest of the UK? The plans must be approved by MPs and peers, who could propose further changes, before they become law.
In Wales, the director of Housing and Regeneration asked social landlords to set out their response to the issues highlighted by Awaab's death. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook told BBC One's Breakfast programme he hoped the changes would take effect before summer 2025.
Four leading housing organisations in Scotland issued updated guidance about how the social housing sector should respond to damp and mould. Aim for no-fault eviction ban to be in place by summer
In March 2024, Thompsons Solicitors said it was launching legal action on behalf of 41 clients. It says their illnesses have been worsened by damp conditions in social housing provided by three housing associations and local authorities across Scotland. Aim for no-fault eviction ban to be in place by summer
In December 2022, the body representing Northern Ireland housing associations said its members were "reviewing their approaches to tackling mould and dampness".
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