An extremely concerning new report conducted from housing charity Shelter has revealed that hundreds of tenants are living in slum-like conditions.
The charity suggests that many renters are being plagued by damp, mould, infestations and electrical faults within their rental accommodation.
Concerns
In order to compile the report, Shelter, alongside You Gov, took statements from 300 tenants across large urban regions.
31% of these tenants expressed their concerns over damp and mould. 16% said that they had faulty electricity within their rental property.
One particular respondent claimed that the damp in his accommodation caused damage to his clothing.
He said: ‘I have been living in awful conditions in this flat. There’s a lot of mould on the walls and all over the furniture. I’ve had to throw away my clothes and go to the doctors because I’ve been ill with chest infections from breathing in the mould.’[1]
Many tenants living in slum-like conditions: Shelter
Damp Issues
It is imperative for landlords and tenants like to be aware of the risks that damp brings. There are a number of residential damp elimination and preventative measures that can be taken in order to eliminate these risks.
Stuart Cavanagh, Head of HR at Novus Property Solutions, believes tenants should become more informed on the dangers of damp and how to protect their rental properties.
Mr Cavanagh, addressing tenants, said: ‘The majority of renters are fortunate enough to have helpful, professional landlords who will see to complaints immediately. These are principles, however, that not all landlords work by. In such cases, it sadly falls onto the tenant to make better preparations and understand how to protect the property. In the long-run, being better informed will not only help you appeal to your landlord, it will also prepare you for future renting and dealings with landlords in general.’[1]
‘The health risks are very real, with children and those suffering respiratory ailments most susceptible – an informed approach is the best preventative measure. Know what to look for, and take action accordingly.’[1]
[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/shelter-a-third-of-uk-tenants-living-in-slum-like-conditions.html