Mother and disabled child in property with damp and mould
Summary
A landlord in Chester-le-Street has been fined after a vulnerable household, including a mother with a newborn baby and a disabled child, was left in a property with damp and mould, no heating or hot water, and electrical and carbon monoxide hazards. Durham council took enforcement action after repeated failures to complete repairs and after the landlord also failed to obtain selective licences for multiple properties.
Why it matters
This case highlights the enforcement risks associated with unresolved damp, mould, heating and electrical defects, particularly where vulnerable occupants are involved. Surveyors may encounter similar conditions during inspections and should recognise the seriousness of hazards that can trigger formal action under housing legislation.
Key points
- Property contained damp and mould, no heating or hot water, and electrical issues.
- Council identified excess cold, carbon monoxide and other hazards after inspection.
- Section 11 and Section 12 Housing Act 2004 Improvement Notice was served.
- Landlord failed to complete works within the agreed timescales.
- Selective licensing failures led to additional penalties across three properties.
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