Action call for mouldy flats as new law comes into force

DANGEROUS and “uninhabitable” council flats in Newcastle plagued by damp and mould must be repaired urgently, say campaigners.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

Residents of a housing block in the east of the city have demanded action, amid growing concern at the major repairs required in a series of multi-storey tower blocks.

Members of community group Food and Solidarity say that people in Breamish House, in Battlefield, have been forced to endure dismal living conditions. They confronted Newcastle City Council housing chiefs last week and revealed how the damp in one man’s flat had become so bad that it had caused his bathroom ceiling to collapse, while the walls are wet and covered in black mould.

Yesterday, Awaab’s Law came into force - requiring social landlords to fix reported damp, mould and emergency repairs within strict time-frames.

Council housing bosses admitted that, having met residents after they came to a cabinet meeting to complain about the state of the building, the conditions in Breamish House are “unacceptable and fall significantly short of the standards we are committed to”.