To think our house is making DC sick

You say the house "isn't crazy overcrowded" but this is interpreted very differently in some communities. Most typical British housing stock isn't suitable for more than 4-6 people, and thats before accounting for animals.

A lot of people allow too much moisture into their homes but then can't afford the extra heating costs of having windows open to ventilate in winter then having to reheat. Its a big issue. Get an efficient dehumidifier.

Op I'm allergic to mold, I grew up in a old damp house and went on to develop asthma. It only resolved when our family moved house. I seem to be more sensitive now and get symptoms if I visit friends houses that are damp. Have you tried giving your daughter an antihistamine especially at night when symptoms are worse. I know it's not a long term solution but if she improves then at least you'd know for sure and she would get some sleep. I really feel for you I this situation.

Probably could have explained it better. I would wipe the mouldy ceiling with vinegar first- air it for a few hours. Once dry, I would wipe the surface with bleach (diluted with water) and let it dry.

Bleach doesn’t kill mould.

Ok so if the mould is everywhere it is less likely to be caused by damp and is much more likely to be caused by condensation. That’s a good thing, because you can control it. If it gets worse in winter even more so as we keep all the windows and doors closed because it’s cold outside.

there are things you can do to help :

1. do not dry clothes in the house. All the moisture on the clothes goes straight back into the house. Use a laundrette for a while. If you cannot do this make sure you dry clothes in one room / area that has the window open.

2. move furniture away from effected corners so they can ventilate

3. only shower with the window wide open.

4. clean effected areas with bleach

5. ask the landlord to make sure the building has the right ventilation in accordance to building regulations. I.E there should be an automatic extractor fan in the kitchens and bathrooms and all windows should have trikle vents installed in them.

as far as your child’s health goes, I was under the impression black mould effects respiratory illness although I am no doctor. If I was you I’d take my child to the doctor to ensure there is nothing else effecting them. Good luck.

Watch this week's Panorama on Britains mouldy homes then get them to spend some money dealing with the cause.

How big is the house and how many people & animals live there?

Are windows opened when cooking/showering? Is it well ventilated?

Is it heated to at least 18 degrees?

I'm sorry but I feel you need some tough love!!! Get it together and stand up for yourself, you have another child on the way. That mould isn't normal. And you expect yourself to be in there with possibly two sick kids, imagine a new born in them conditions!!! Stand up for yourself and your babies lady and keep focusing on them. It's rough out there I know but there's a way to get out of this situation. Stop believing others, and have you any family and friends you can talk to?

Mixing bleach and vinegar makes chlorine gas. They should never be mixed.

All of those things are chemicals.

It's not normal at all @Concernedmum23 is the house heated and aired properly? That will help, as will a dehumidifier.

Perhaps because people are fed up of other people having children they can't afford or properly house? It ends up being on the taxpayer to deal with, and it's bloody selfish is why.

You’ve been pregnant for five years?

Because it’s completely baffling to most of us why you would have another when you can’t afford to house the first one. Maybe it will make her think more carefully going forward, otherwise I’m sure another will come along soon and there will be three ill children in a mouldy HMO.

Yes it likely is affecting your child’s health. You can’t bring a newborn into that house. Your priority here needs to be safely housing your children. How far along are you? If not too far you good get a job and save up a deposit.

Dehumidifier. A really good electric one made for cold damp. It will also warm the room as an added bonus. Plus regular cleaning with vinegar.

Sorry OP, we are in similar type of house.

What's the point in remonstrating op for getting pregnant again? If no one ever had children in less than perfect circumstances, the human race would die out real fast. She needs actual advice, not a bunch of captain hindsights stating the bleedin' obvious.

Omg I'm shocked at that first picture. This is not normal.

I'd do anything to get myself and my child out of there

That looks really bad. Black mould is far worse for people than people realise, it can even cause personality changes. It's incredibly toxic.

your child has no one to protect them but you so
you need to step up to your husband. I lived in a mouldy flat so understand. I reacted terribly- my eyes were so puffy and I was coughing. The mould needs to be cleaned at first sight- bleach and vinegar. Wear a mask,
gloved and eye protection when cleaning mould. Windows have to be opened daily- there were times (even in winter) we did not shut the windows. You need a big humidifier and let it run to a few hours. In the bedroom we use to run it for 6 hours. Be proactive- don’t let the mould build up. Also, stop making more children with an idiot of a man who doesn’t give a shit about his child or you. The mould is probably impacting you and your unborn child. Speak to your midwife.

This. Not meaning to be harsh but why on earth would you being a baby into a mouldy house when you ‘can’t’ move for at least 5 years?!

Might be a good idea to share what council you're under if it's not too outing, then people can give advice about getting on the housing register.

You don't work, not sure about your husband, but I'm assuming if he does, then he is in a low paid job otherwise you wouldn't have stayed where you are for 5 years. You're pregnant, and your 5 year old seems to have health problems directly related to your living conditions. Your family is the perfect candidate for social housing. But some more clarity on what area you live in would be really helpful.

You cannot let a baby live like that. You have already done it to your 4 year old for far too long. This could have life long consequences for them with respiratory illnesses. Get a job, move out, let the work shy dad do the childcare when you are working, but it has to be done in healthy home. You can’t gamble with your children’s health like this, it’s completely irresponsible.

Buy a dehumidifier and leave it on all day/night also a air purifier especially for the bedroom. We leave our air purifier on in the bedroom every night. We don't have mold/damp but it helps with good air circulation. Please consider it

Black mould is BAD.

It baffles me that people have children when they can neither afford them it keep them in safe housing.

Awaab Ishak: Mould in Rochdale flat caused boy's death, coroner rules

What do you expect the GP to do here? This is a medical problem caused by a social problem you need to fix as her parents.

Sorry to be harsh OP, but you are the adult and you need to resolve this. You need to:

contact the landlord, report the problem and ask for a mould specialist

be consistent about removing the mould with a mould remover as soon as it grows

Use a dehumidifier permanently until the air moisture is less than 55%

Keep your home warm

Save to move and apply for council housing

If you can't afford to do the above you need to go back to work. Your daughter is relying on you to fix this.