Mould is one of the most common causes of a housing disrepair issue and can be a very difficult thing for a tenant to live with. There are many different types of mould, such as penetrating mould and rising damp, and probably the most common way to develop mould in a rented property is through condensation. If left to get worse, mould can have a damaging effect on the structure of the property and can be very difficult to live with, but can also impact on the general health of a tenant. This is particularly the case if a tenant is pregnant. 

The health impacts of mould in a rented property

If mould is allowed to grow in a property it starts to create toxins which, when released into the air, can trigger certain allergies in people. Exposure to mould can cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions, the symptoms of which are coughing and wheezing, as well as sneezing, itching and the generation of a rash. Mould can have this effect on anyone, but particularly on pregnant women, who have a much lower immune system and hence are more susceptible to this kind of health risk. 

Although mould in itself shouldn’t have a negative impact on a pregnancy, the health issues it triggers could do, and hence, a pregnant woman exposed to mould in a rented property should report it straight away, but should be careful not to address the issue at source. 

How mould is caused in a rented property

Mould can be detected by seeing small black dots on the wall, or signs of damp in the wall, wallpaper bubbling or plasterwork cracking. Mould will develop in a rented property where moisture is present. This is often caused by a much larger issue, such as external guttering leaking or internal/external pipes leaking. This kind of issue is structural and obviously very serious, and if detected, this issue should be reported to a landlord as soon as possible. But a pregnant woman should be careful in how the problem is identified, because this may involve having to climb a ladder or work at height to inspect a potential problem, which of course is a risk a pregnant woman should ideally avoid.   

Condensation is another common producer of mould, and this occurs where there is a change in temperature or where there is excessive moisture. If a rented property isn’t ventilated very well, this can lead to moisture, condensation and mould, and if windows are in poor condition, this can lead to air getting in and rooms being very cold. Mould is then produced which can lead to much bigger problems.  

What to do if you are pregnant and discover mould in your rented property

• Identify the source – You should attempt to establish what has caused the mould, as it could be the result of a much bigger issue. 

• Report the issue to the landlord – Contact your landlord directly and report the mould issue to them. If it is a structural or a major external issue then they can make immediate attempts to resolve it. 

• Don’t try to clean it – As a pregnant woman you should not attempt to clean the mould. This will release spores into the air and if these are airborne you are more vulnerable to picking up possible allergies or respiratory issues.  

• Make a claim for housing disrepair – If you have a valid case, you can make a claim for housing disrepair compensation if you have reported the issue to the landlord and they have not repaired it after being given a reasonable amount of time. If the mould is a result of a water leak or a structural issue, the landlord is responsible for making this repair and therefore you can make a claim. However, there are instances in which you as a tenant may be responsible for the mould forming. This could occur if you are frequently drying wet clothes indoors, cooking or showering without adequate ventilation. This will generate condensation and could ultimately result in mould forming. The landlord could say there is suitable ventilation available by briefly opening windows while steam is being generated, and therefore your practices have led to the mould forming. In such an instance, they are likely to agree to cleaning the mould, as it may affect your health as a pregnant woman, but you may have to bear some costs, and of course you wouldn’t be able to make a valid housing disrepair claim.   

Make a housing disrepair claim for mould in a rented property

So if you have a valid case you can make a housing disrepair claim for mould in a rented property, and claim for the costs of any damage to your property and the discomfort of living in an unpleasant environment. If this is the case then contact Legal HD – the housing disrepair specialists – today.