The health and wellbeing effects of living with mould in North East Essex
Download (PDF 1.23 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Essex wanted to understand how people are affected by mould and damp living conditions. They undertook a survey and interviews.
All sectors and all groups are affected by mould and damp living conditions. Many owner occupiers with mortgages are badly affected (over a quarter of respondents were owner occupiers).
Nearly three in five respondents have been living with a mould problem for more than two years and the majority of those over five years. The length of time taken to respond to complaints and remedy complaints is too long.
Complainants and reports are often met with a dismissive response and are sometimes completely ignored. Residents are given little or no information about what will be done or what they can expect.
People find that appropriate and long term solutions to the mould problem are not the norm. Residents’ health conditions not factored in, including babies and the vulnerable. Residents are expected to self-manage.
The report contains 13 recommendations.