Beverly W

There's been an upsetting story about the dangers of black mould in the news recently.

The dreadful consequences of this incident have sparked concerns for conditions in rented accommodation. We rent. Low-income family goes hand in hand with substandard housing and heating poverty. We have only lived in the property 8 months. We have discovered mould. Not just a small amount, treatable in unoccupied part of the house we live in. In fact, an alarming growth appeared growing over the contents of a built-in bedroom cupboard.

In fact, it would be more accurate to say a seaweed looking substance had completely engulfed several loose items of clothing and footwear that lay on the shoe rack or hung over the footwear. I was obviously concerned for our health as well as disturbed by the cost involved to replace spoiled garments. I removed all the offending articles cleaned what I felt was worthwhile or necessary and emailed my landlord's agent for their help.

It's not as though I was ignorant or oblivious to the signs. I had been on the lookout for damp spots since the end of the summer, like a night watchman at the sound of breaking glass.

Firstly, the regular draft sweeping in from underneath the cupboard door was enough to alert me to the reality that all was not right within the cupboard space. Unable to detect damp in the walls or carpet I considered lagging the walls with spare reflective sheeting sent to me free of charge courtesy of a local energy efficiency scheme. I wasn't really sure how to attach the sheeting to the walls without creating further damp, condensation or damage to the paintwork, so I had abandoned the idea, and opted for a wait and see what developed approach.

The property is probably 70 years old after all so these things are to be expected. In the summer, I even applied for grants and funding on offer to increase the energy rating of the property. However, I haven't heard back anything more about the wonderful possibilities of cavity wall insulation or installation of extra downstairs radiators or replacement of badly fitted double glazed units, because this could only take place if my landlord was prepared to pay one third of the overall cost. I can only guess he wasn't willing or able to do this.

To my further annoyance and concern there is also mould spreading rapidly in another room at the rear of the property. It's very obviously black mould on whitewashed brick walls. I can't pretend to be an expert at these matters, but I happen to understand enough to know the problem in one area can be managed, however, the second area is likely to require extensive treatments to put things right and make this room safe. No amount of leaving a back door open as ventilation at the risk of rats and mice taking up residence inside or heating the room would be enough to halt the growth of spores on my part. I believe the brick needs proper damp proofing for a start.

The following day, to my horror, I read an article, suggesting how landlords might well lay the blame for damp issues in rented accommodation on their tenants. For instance, not opening windows or utilising adequate heating, in addition, where there was substantial condensation using dehumidifiers.

In my mind, to lay blame on the tenants would be complete nonsense in light of the current cost of living crisis. Blame Mr Putin instead. Even the energy saving gurus currently advise, turn off radiators in rooms you don't use to save precious pennies on high-cost energy bills.

I can't speak for the living habits of everyone but, as far as my own situation goes, to the best of my knowledge, I've been doing all the right things. For instance, upstairs I've been keeping the cupboard doors open to allow the air to circulate more, the bedroom window has been left slightly open occasionally too. The bedroom is large and airy enough already. So far, so good, although, on inspection of the exterior wall to the room there is a small patch of exposed brick work which will definitely need attention. I'd say a very likely root cause of the issue there.

As for the rear room, there is no ventilation brick or otherwise. There is no heating appliance in there unless I resort to using a small electric fan heater which, whilst giving out great amounts of heat, also incurs great cost for what it's worth, because I might as well heat the whole shed and garden with the thing whilst I'm at it. As soon as the heat source is switched off its an igloo in there again. Not to mention, the amount of condensation that is produced in the walls floor and concreate ceiling creates a vicious circle of events.

All I can say is, in my humble opinion, the makeshift storeroom is poorly constructed to sad standards unsuitable for winter living.

Since the whole cost of living crisis kicked off, I can wholeheartedly say I totally welcome any government incentives to improve housing standards. A heavy-handed approach was needed to tackle issues before the energy crisis but more so now double quick. All part of the joys of living life on a low income.

Meanwhile still waiting for the agent to respond to my original email. Also, the boilers unexpectedly packed in on me 3 times this week which I've notified them of too. Ideal for me just as I'm starting to develop familiar symptoms associated with a reoccurring health problem too.