Housing association complaints: Struggling with black mould in your rented home?
Is black mould creeping across your walls? You’re not alone. A significant proportion of renters are confronted by this problem. This is especially the case in older flats or houses where landlords have neglected repairs for a long time. An increasing number of housing association complaints mention mould, damp, and similar issues.
Mould isn’t just unsightly, it also represents a serious health hazard. It can inflict damage onto your belongings, make your living conditions unpleasant and these problems are only further exacerbated when your landlord or housing officer chooses to ignore or downplay these issues when you raise them.
At Disrepair Support, we speak to tenants all the time who tell us that they have had enough. We help people across England get repairs sorted and we will do the same for you. If your quality of life is being impacted by an ignorant and irresponsible landlord or housing association, we will help you hold them accountable. If we believe that you have a case to make, we can also help you claim compensation.
What Is black mould?
Black mould appears as dark patches spread across ceilings, damp corners, or around windows. It emanates a musty and damp smell. When you notice these signs in your home, it implies that there is a problem in the property, a leak, poor ventilation, or lack of insulation. Housing association complaints regularly highlight poor insulation and outdated property infrastructure.
If you apply mould spray or bleach to the affected areas, the mould will eventually regrow. In order to fully fix the issue, the root cause of the mould must be addressed. It is subsequently the legal responsibility of the landlord to ensure these root causes are dealt with to prevent the mould from growing again. If they choose to absolve themselves of this responsibility, it is worth knowing that association complaints are a viable option which will hold them legally accountable for getting the repairs done.
Why does it keep coming back?
Mould doesn’t grow unless the conditions are right for it. And in a lot of rental homes, this is a common theme. Housing association complaints often include long overdue repairs and repeated maintenance failures.
Think:
- Roofs or pipes that frequently leak but are never repaired
- Bathrooms with no extractor fans
- Condensation on cold walls or windows
- Ignored maintenance: dripping taps, cracked render, damp basements
Even small problems left too long can lead to big mould issues. The key point to highlight is that is the legal duty of the landlord to fix these problems, not yours. This is a common factor which is raised in housing association complaints submitted across the UK.
Is It actually harmful?
Absolutely, yes. People often think mould is just cosmetic, but it can cause (or worsen) real health problems.
You might notice:
- Tight chest, wheezing or coughing
- Constant colds or sinus trouble
- Skin flare ups like eczema
- Blocked nose
- itchy throat or sore eyes
- Feeling generally run down and tired
If you’ve got asthma or any breathing issues, mould can intensify and exacerbate these underlying health conditions. And kids, elderly relatives, or anyone with a weaker immune system are often at a greater risk. Health-related housing association complaints have increased in recent years due to cases like these.
Know your rights as a tenant
Your landlord is legally required to keep your home safe and in good condition. That includes tackling damp and black mould comprehensively by addressing its root causes, not just implementing temporary measures such as painting over it (which only removes the mould on the surface). This failure is central to thousands of housing association complaints filed every year.
Landlords should:
- Investigate what’s causing the damp
- Carry out proper repairs (not just temporary fixes)
- Remove the mould thoroughly
- Prevent it from returning
If they fail to take these measures after being informed about the mould, you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim. Cases of this nature are very common in housing association complaints, especially when the tenant has reported the issue multiple times.
What can you do about it?
If you’re stuck with mould and the landlord’s ignoring you, here’s what you can do:
Take photos
Snap clear pictures of the mould and any damaged items like furniture or clothes.
Keep a record
Make a note of when the problem began, ensuring you also include when you first told your landlord about it. This documentation is useful when supporting housing association complaints.
Follow up in writing
Email or write to your landlord so you’ve got a paper trail. Housing association complaints with strong records of communication are more likely to be taken seriously.
Get advice
Reach out to us at Disrepair Support. We’ll let you know what your options are—and if you’ve got a case, we’ll link you up with a legal team who can take it from there. We support tenants navigating the process of filing housing association complaints and seeking action.
What can you claim for?
If the mould’s affected your health or damaged your things, you might be able to claim compensation. This could include:
- Medical issues (and any treatment costs)
- Personal belongings damaged by damp
- The stress and hassle of living in poor conditions
- Loss of use of certain rooms or spaces in your home
Housing association complaints that include these elements often have the strongest compensation outcomes. We can assure you that our legal partners operate on a principle whereby if the case is not successful, there will be no fee. This means that there will be no upfront costs included when you are paired with a solicitor to begin with.
How Disrepair Support can help
We’re here for tenants who’ve had enough of waiting around. Whether it’s black mould, water leaks, or rising damp, we help renters take action. Housing association complaints are one of our key areas of focus, and we’ve supported thousands of successful cases.
Here’s what we offer:
- Free advice on whether you’ve got a case
- Help with building your evidence and chasing your landlord
- Legal support
You don’t have to handle this alone, we’re on your side. Whether it’s private rentals or housing association complaints, you have rights, and we’re here to enforce them.
Don’t put up with it
Mould isn’t just unpleasant, it’s a health risk. If your landlord won’t sort it, it’s time to act. Problems like this don’t just go away. They spread, they get worse, and they start to affect your day-to-day life. This is why housing association complaints should never be ignored or delayed.
Talk to Disrepair Support. We’ll tell you exactly where you stand, and what you can do about it, whether that’s pushing for repairs, getting compensation, or both. We’ve helped thousands move forward with successful housing association complaints and get the outcomes they deserve.
Final word
Living in a damp, mouldy home isn’t just frustrating, it’s unfair. If your landlord won’t help, we will. Thousands of housing association complaints prove that change is possible when tenants take action.
You’ve got rights. Let’s make sure they’re respected.