Residents of a Watford tower block and a nearby home are voicing their frustrations over persistent mould problems that have worsened over time. Carl Palmer likes his home exactly where it is—he’s lived there for 23 years. At the same time, Debbie Hart, another tenant in the Munden View tower block, voices the same concern over the increasingly detrimental impact of mould on her health and overall quality of life.
Carl Palmer’s home has become increasingly plagued by mould, particularly in the bathroom, his daughter’s bedroom, and a linen cupboard. He called the state of the building, “horrible,” pointing out that conditions have continued to get worse since he originally moved inside. Palmer drew attention to the black mould infesting the walls around him as he sat in the tub. That drove home just how bad the situation really is.
“I’ve been here 23 years and the mould has got worse.” – Carl Palmer
Debbie Hart fights against damp in her house at Munden View. This 17-storey, benefit-busting concrete tower block has stood on the northern periphery of the struggling town of Watford. Hart has personally lived in the building for the last ten years. Her mould problems began almost as soon as she brought home her new child. She’s especially worried about the health effects on her three kids.
Hart said her kids have often missed school since they returned two months ago. She is convinced that their illnesses are a result of the high humidity and moldiness inside their home. Watford Community Housing Trust (WCHT), Hart’s landlord, has subsequently undertaken mould washes in Hart’s home. Even with all that work, she says, they haven’t solved the issue.
“They’re getting sick. They’ve been back at school for two months and, in that time, each of them has been off sick.” – Debbie Hart
WCHT has been proactive in addressing these challenges. They deployed teams on two occasions to clean the mould from Hart’s home. Residents such as Hart worry that the interventions have simply not done enough to solve the recurring decades-old issues.
Homeowner Carl Palmer was faced with a major problem in his home – a water leak. For example, this leak has led to the growth of brown mould inside one of his kitchen cupboards. The union head voiced deep concern with so many departing ineffective real solutions over the years.
“We are aware of the cases that have been raised and we apologise for not resolving them more quickly.” – WCHT
Palmer’s and Hart’s homes continue to be plagued by chronic mould issues. This moment requires bold and immediate leadership from housing authorities. As tenants continue to face health risks due to persistent damp conditions, they are calling for immediate interventions to ensure safe living environments.
