Living in a safe and healthy environment is a basic necessity that everyone deserves. Unfortunately, for young mother Shelby Atherton, this was far from her reality. Forced to reside in a mold and damp ridden housing association flat, Atherton found herself plagued with constant worry for her one-year-old daughter’s well-being. The emotional toll inflicted by this dire situation was so severe that she often found herself crying herself to sleep at night, uncertain if her child would even wake up the next day.
In October 2023, Atherton initially moved into her two-bedroom flat located in Rochdale with hopes of creating a nurturing home for herself and her daughter. However, what should have been a fresh start quickly turned into a nightmare. Merely a few weeks after moving in, she began experiencing serious issues with mold and dampness and promptly reported this situation to her landlord, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH). Atherton lamented, “I was in the hospital because of it. Constantly choking and being sick. I didn’t eat for six, seven days straight, once the mold got that bad.”
The impact of mold on Atherton’s health was so severe that she ended up requiring medical intervention. She was hospitalized, forced to take steroids and antibiotics to combat the detrimental effects of the mold on her chest. The relentless spread of mold and dampness throughout the flat had devastating consequences. Atherton’s furniture, carpets, and clothes were all destroyed, leaving her in a state of utter despair. Describing the heart-wrenching scene, she tearfully expressed, “I just lay there on my bed just crying because everything is just gone and ruined. I’ve only just moved in, trying to make it a home, and my little girl, like our first proper home… I tried to make Christmas nice for her, and everything’s just ruined. I’ve lost all my clothes. I’ve lost my furniture, my daughter’s bed. She’s not even got a bed to go home to.”
RBH, when questioned about the matter, expressed their regret and apologized for Atherton’s distressing experience. They assured that they were working diligently to address the necessary repairs as swiftly as possible and emphasized their commitment to protecting the health and well-being of their customers. However, the mold and damp issue in Atherton’s case is far from an isolated incident.
Tragically, RBH also managed the property where two-year-old Awaab Ishak resided. Awaab’s life was cut short in December 2020 due to a severe respiratory condition resulting from prolonged exposure to mold. This devastating loss prompted the government to propose “Awaab’s law,” implementing new legal requirements that would hold social landlords accountable. These requirements would include investigating tenant concerns within two weeks, commencing repair work within a week, and responding to emergencies within 24 hours. RBH acknowledged their responsibility in this tragedy, citing it as a result of their own failings. They expressed their commitment to learn from their mistakes, rectify the situation, and prevent such incidents from recurring.
In light of Awaab Ishak’s tragic case, Shelby Atherton and her daughter have been temporarily relocated to a local hotel while repair work is carried out on their flat. Atherton’s harrowing encounter with mold and dampness has instilled a deep sense of fear within her. Recalling her own deteriorating health during that time, she fears for her daughter’s safety should they return. The physical and emotional toll she endured serves as a constant reminder of the potential dangers that lurk within their former home. Atherton poignantly reflects, “My little girl could have gone without me… I was that poorly where I genuinely thought I was going to die, like I couldn’t breathe.”
The stories of Shelby Atherton and Awaab Ishak highlight a distressing and urgent issue that demands immediate attention. The detrimental impact of mold and dampness on residents’ health and well-being should not be downplayed or ignored. It is imperative for housing associations, landlords, and governing bodies to collaborate in creating and enforcing robust regulations to ensure the provision of safe and healthy homes for all. The physical and emotional burdens placed on individuals like Atherton, and the irreparable loss experienced by families like Ishak’s, should serve as a catalyst for change. Only through comprehensive reform can we hope to prevent further tragedies and preserve the sanctity of home for everyone.
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