Sick of the council not fixing black mould

[Leannethom85]

I feel like contacting a lawyer.
Over a year ago they were putting new roofs on council homes as part of their home improvement scheme. I got new roof and thought nothing of it until I went up to roof the get my Christmas tree down last December to find the whole roof which was replaced in April damp and covered in mould, 5 months old roof! I also noticed black mould coming through the ceilings of my bedroom and my children's bedroom. After numerous calls they said they would come out in March to fix it, I got sick with suspected covid so I cancelled it and then we went into lock down. I've called up numerous times, they said they'd be out never came out. This has been going on for months now and today they said they'd phone me for someone to come out to fix. I feel like nobody cares to fix it. My daughter has given up her sports because she has been diagnosed with seasonal asthma, never had problems before and my oldest daughter is munching through anti hystemines for a runny nose. My chest always feels tight as well. I threatened council to withhold my rent. It's just going to get worse and they not doing anything.

Anyone else been in same boat or have advice?

Find your local councillor and ask them to help you. They can send in an enquiry on your behalf which should hurry it up a bit. Also email the complaint team and say you want to escalate your complaint, tell them everything that happened

Definitely get your councillor involved and start a formal complaint.

I wonder what the hell they've done to the roof, eg should there be air vents that enable condensation to escape.

Afterthought: you used to be able to get legal aid for housing disrepair cases, it may be worth exploring if this is still possible.

If not, and you live in an area where they still have law centres etc, you might be able to get a housing lawyer involved.

It's giving them the benefit of the doubt, time and time again. I need to decorate I am on Al from work and was meant to decorate, how can I if I have mould coming through the ceiling. They came out to investigate in febuarary the something to do with chimney and the lagging they put down. It's now November! I'm furious now

Councils are notoriously awful at dealing with complaints.

You need to look up your council's official complaints process. Lodge a complaint by email/online form ASAP. Once they fail to address it within the required time period you are then in a position to escalate it to the Public Services Ombudsman (PSO). Beware that the Ombudsman will not touch the complaint unless you have a stage 2 complaint response from your council. However the PSO do get things done! Good luck.

Mould is a pathogen and prolonged exposure to it can lead to sensitivity. The effects are cumulative, and once you are sensitised, you will always experience symptoms. These can include the ones you describe. It's particularly problematic if you are pregnant, immune-compromised, or have an existing respiratory condition.

Additionally, you are living with an active infestation, which can present a risk to long-term health. I would want the council to test for which species it is - some moulds can be very problematic (aspergillus, stachybotrys), and also see your doctor. This is a health and safety issue, particularly as we go into winter and you won't want to keep your windows and doors open for ventilation.

Shelter have some good information on their website. Complain, keep a record of everything and don't take no for answer.

Sounds like potentially a ventilation issue with the new roof not letting moisture escape. Contact either your MP or a local councillor and they will contact the landlord, IME there's nothing like an MP letter to get things done.

I work with covid 19 patients, I asked my line manager if I'm at increased risk of severe illness she said she'd look into it... Ovb I'd still do my job but I'm also concerned if because of the mould it could cause harm

Try and do it all by email to keep a paper trail.
Councillor is next step they can often speed it up.

In the mean time if it's in the bedrooms the Astonish spray from HB mould and mildew one in blue bottle.

mould is a pathogen not always.

OP I would take photos of it and maybe try Shelter or a local housing advice charity. Possibly even show your GP.

Contact shelter charity, they have advice on this. Sounds like it's not fit for habitation.

Have you been told to keep the loft clear to aid air circulation? Modern roofs are often designed so that anything stored in the loft stops the air circulating the way it should and makes mould growth more likely.

Only Xmas tree up there, the lagging was packed up and the old chimney breast is up to high, the men already told me that.

Damp and mouls is classified as a hazard under the housing health and safety rating system which, ironically, is supposed to be enforced by council environmental health officers. So you would becwithin your rights to contact the environmental health department ss well as the housing department, and emphasis e the health problems your family are having.

Local newspapers also quite often cover these kinds of situations, though i don't know if it helps the occupants of the houses or not.

Its s horrible situation for you and I fo hopecit gets sorted soon.

My daughter was girl of the year for the sport she plays, been playing it since primary school.. Until last year she was falling on to her hands and knees gasping for breathe, its then she went to the doctors and he said it could be seasonal asthma.. She stopped playing the sport she loved because she was embarrassed by it, which is heartbreaking. My oldest daughter takes those little anti allergy tablets she doesn't have allergies but takes them for her stuffy nose. My chest always feels tight and heavy and my voice is hoarse, can I pinpoint it to the mould, I don't know but these things happening within the past 18 months? I had a cat live with me I was looking after, his nose was always dripping with snot.

Have worked in the sector. Sorry to say but threats to withhold rent mean nothing, likewise going to the media, are heard everyday, and aren't taken that seriously. You'd end up in bother if you did withhold payment anyway. I'd recommend going to your local councillor and calling/emailing/ sending photos everyday until action is taken.