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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 months later)
Living in mouldy properties can cause respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma, and can sometimes be fatal. Landlords for social housing in England will have to fix damp and mouldy properties more quickly from October, the government has announced.
In 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died as a result of the mould in his home in Rochdale. The rules will eventually cover private landlords as well.
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. Campaigners called for stricter rules after two-year-old Awaab Ishak died because of mould at his Rochdale home in 2020.
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? How does black mould affect your health?
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. Two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after exposure to mould in his home
The NHS in England spends an estimated £1.4bn every year treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing, according to a 2021 report from 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 home 'I fear my mould-infested flat is going to kill me'
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, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
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 cold surfaces.
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 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?
All landlords have a responsibility to make sure homes are safe and in good repair.
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.
But landlords may not be responsible if there is evidence a tenant has not been ventilating the home correctly.
Who was Awaab Ishak?Who was Awaab Ishak?
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 the mould 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 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.Awaab was taken to Rochdale Urgent Care Centre on 19 December that year with shortness of breath, and died a few days later.
What is Awaab's law and what will it mean for landlords?What is Awaab's law and what will it mean for landlords?
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. All landlords - private and social - already have a duty to keep their homes fit for human habitation, external. But after Awaab Ishak's death, campaigners called for stricter measures.
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. Awaab's law was first passed in July 2023 under the previous Conservative government, but had not taken effect by the time of the 2024 general election.
Landlords who failed to comply could be taken to court and ordered to pay compensation. Labour has said that from October 2025, the rules will apply to social landlords - generally local councils or housing associations.
However, the planned legislation was eventually scrapped, ahead of July's general election. These landlords will have to address damp and mould hazards that pose a significant risk of harm to tenants, within fixed timescales.
And Labour is now introducing a revised, renters' rights bill, external, which will extend Awaab's law to cover private landlords as well. From the same point, they will also have to address all emergency repairs - whether related to damp and mould or not - within 24 hours.
The plans must be approved by MPs and peers, who could propose further changes, before they become law. New rules setting a timeframe for dealing with non-emergency repairs such as excess cold and heat, structural collapse, fire, electrical faults and hygiene issues will take effect in 2026. More hazards will be added in 2027.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook told BBC One's Breakfast programme he hoped the changes would take effect before summer 2025. Landlords who fail to act can be taken to court and ordered to pay compensation.
Aim for no-fault eviction ban to be in place by summer The Housing charity Shelter criticised the government's decision to phase in the new legislation. It said it leaves social housing tenants at risk from poor quality accommodation.
The government's Renters' Rights Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, will extend the new rules to cover private landlords.
Ministers previously said they hoped the bill would be passed by summer 2025.