Mon, 10 Feb 2025

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 'Billionaires own my mouldy rental property'

Families tell BBC their mould-infested homes are making them ill - Panorama investigates.
The article highlights several cases of people living in substandard conditions: 1. Christine Brown and her husband are renting a house in Rotherham that is infested with damp and mold. They have reported the issues to their managing agent, Savills, but little has been done. 2. Sinead O'Connor is renting a flat in Brighton that is also plagued by mold and condensation. Despite efforts to address the issue, the mold keeps coming back. The article also explores the challenges faced by housing services:
* Increased costs: Housing services are facing higher costs for materials, new safety rules, and a backlog of repairs.
* Insufficient funding: The government's decent homes standard is not being met due to inadequate funding. An estimated 3 million households (not just social tenants as previously mentioned) are living in substandard conditions. The article quotes several experts and politicians: 1. England's Housing Ombudsman, Richard Blakeway, says there is a "perfect storm" of issues contributing to the housing crisis. 2. Angela Rayner, Labour's Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions, comments on the government's reorganization, which she sees as a "generational power shift". 3. A BBC correspondent, Laura Kuenssberg, writes about the difficulties faced by people trying to buy homes. The article concludes by highlighting the need for change in the housing sector:
* Campaigners are calling for action after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from mold exposure in 2020.
* Residents like Christine and Sinead are fighting for their right to live in safe, decent homes. Overall, the article paints a picture of a complex housing crisis that requires urgent attention and investment.
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