Hundreds of low EPC landlords warned - “this cannot continue”

I don't understand why the parents of Awaab were not prosecuted, it was by their negligence that he died, pure and simple

Politics Andrew? The state prosecuting a black immigrant family for the death of their own child. Shelter, Labour etc would have a field day. If someone dies in the property pin it on the landlord wherever possible.

It seems that the Housing Association told the father to paint over the mould - which he did. He wasn't told to first remove the mould and use anti-mould paint. Consequently, the mould returned. The father then apparently painted the areas again but he was fighting a losing battle because of the extent of the dampness and mould on the walls. The housing office thought that the problem was caused by "ritual bathing", but the family said they simply took showers.

Home owners do what you have said. Renters less so. Some of them can just sit and watch it grow rather than lift a finger. Hopefully get compensation or moved to another better property. They don't try and fix it.

Like the council spending nearly £50,000 on 'rainbow junction' across a busy road in support of the LGBT community has cost taxpayers almost £50,000.

Class action, legal challenge etc, yes absolutely. The NRLA should be doing this.
It’s time the ‘ big wig influencers in the PRS stepped up and started to fight back. I have little faith in waiting for the NRLA to show any determination, but someone has to.

There is no incentive or enforcement to make tenants behave when laws are in favour of rogue tenants who don’t pay, trash the LL’s property and still can not be evicted without long periods of stress and high costs for PRS LL, whereas a council has the powers to evict tenants.
And council also has the powers to enter PRS LL’s property in the homeowners absence to find faults-especially when a tenant is facing a PRS LL’s eviction, threaten to fix anything and blame, recharge LL’s, but worst of all, ask judges to transfer the ownership to council!.
PRS homes are much better quality and energy efficient than council ones not just from EPC but overall perspective.
If the laws became fair and tenants knew that they can be evicted within six weeks, as well as landlords being penalised for unsafe properties, both sides will behave.
Instead of only LL’s having to comply with EPC, face low rental income, pay high taxes, face mortgage arrears and bad credit history due to tenants non payments and a convoluted eviction process, PRS tenants should be legally held responsible for fixing mould due to their lifestyle, undertake minor maintenance for daily usage wear and tear by humans and pets, maintenance of gardens, driveways, indoors, outdoors structures used by the tenant and paying for regular rental increases in agreement plus vacate the property at an agreed time/day leaving it in good condition.

Best wishes to good PRS LL’s and good tenants.

I would have thought so too, Michael; there is an element of common sense involved. However, from the photos I have seen on the internet the problem looked very extensive indeed. It was all over the carpets as well as the walls and ceilings.

There was also a mass of mould behind and above the radiators; that probably implies that the tenants had been drying clothes on the radiators and causing some condensation that way.

If you search for "Awaab Ishak and mould" and select "images" you can see the extent of the problem.

Apparently the estate is riddled with mould - according to the Guardian article - ‘It keeps coming back’: Rochdale estate still plagued by mould that killed toddler
An issue seems to be water entry - not sure how prevalent that is in the estate.

You are so right that as private landlords we have to deal with these problems ourselves - and effectively, too, so that the mould doesn't come back. And what is more, frequently the mould is caused by tenants; they then report the problem and at the same time can be very obstructive in attempts to deal with it. The mould seems to be something that they prize in certain cases - and they wouldn't dream of wiping it off themselves.

Another factor to take into account is that some housing association/council tenants have very low disposable incomes - and there would have been a great deal of the correct type of paint needed in Awaab Ishak's flat.

There are some anti- mould products that are very cheap, but others are more expensive. I have found Astonish Mould and Mildew remover to be effective and that can be bought for only £1 in some shops.

In terms of damp seal I have used Polycell one coat damp seal which you can buy for about £12 for 500ml. Would cost about £35 for 2.5 litres in Wickes.

Anti-mould paints can be quite pricey - prices start at about £30 for 5 litres. B & Q currently selling for 4 x 5 litres cans of Polar anti-mould paint for £120.

It would probably have cost about £200 for the Housing Association to have bought the materials to have saved the little boy's precious life.

If I, as an elderly woman, can deal with a problem effectively myself, housing officers and enforcement officers should be able to do some practical work, when it is essential. That would be far more useful than targeting private landlords who are doing their best.

Ellie,
Where have you used Polycell? I have damp above a skirting. I want to paint over it and see if that works. Did it last long?

It 'looks like rising damp'. It's not rising and no salts. I have read the DPC creams are a con. The president of the RICS said it was a myth years ago.

Hi Nick,

I have used polycell everywhere (although I am not sure that that is the right thing to do). I have found it to be effective and it seems to permanently block damp and mould.

Thanks Ellie.

Hope the housing officer got fired and his gold plated pension took off him. Certainly should be struck off from attending any other properties and giving orders...

Thanks for that advice Michael