Family Gasping for Air Mold Infested Rental Home Forces Them Out

A woman rented a place with her two kids. The rental property was full of mold, and they struggled to breathe because of it. The tenant said the conditions made her family sick. Damp walls were everywhere, even in the kids’ bedroom, and she felt it was a horrible situation, affecting their food storage.

The woman said the mold came from poor insulation, with many walls in the home affected. Peterborough Council visited the Gladstone Street home and issued a Prohibition Order, stopping people from living there until repairs were done to fix the hazards.

The tenant reiterated that poor insulation caused the damp and mold, particularly in her children’s bedroom. They had breathing problems, and damp food in the cupboards made them sick. The council listened, helped them move, and found them a new place.

Council people helped them relocate to temporary housing, and work to address the mold was started. She felt so happy her problems were over, stating that nobody should live like that. She advises tenants to seek help if they face similar problems, emphasizing that the council helps, and many supports are available. She urged them to speak up.

The council learned of the problems from Home Safe, a Selective Licensing scheme partner. They inspected the property together. Councillor Alison Jones talked about private rentals, mentioning the need for safe, warm, and healthy homes. The council acts on landlord breaches and will help tenants get advice and support.

The council started a scheme with Home Safe last year requiring landlords to have a license to ensure safety standards. This license lasts five years, with penalties for landlords renting without one, potentially up to £30,000. Courts can impose unlimited fines, and they might have to repay rent worth one year.