Damp rented homes are increasing children’s risk of ill health

Citizens Advice has urged government to align regulation of private-rental sector with social housing, but authorities would still lack the resources to act

Almost 31,000 babies and toddlers are admitted to hospital annually with lung conditions caused or exacerbated by cold, damp and mould; and nearly 80% develop acute bronchiolitis requiring hospital treatment, according to NHS figures.

Over 1.6 million children in England live in cold, damp, mould-ridden private rented homes, an issue highlighted following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged exposure to mould.

Dr Andy Knox, GP and Associate Medical Director for the NHS said: “It’s particularly an issue in the private-rented sector and the issues involved are complex. Sometimes it’s because buildings are old and poorly looked after. Other times it’s related to families not being able to afford their heating bills or drying their washing indoors with poor ventilation.”

A Guardian report on Britain’s private rental sector found a fifth of households live in private-rented homes where damp is five times more common than owner-occupied homes. Government figures suggest over 520,000 rented properties in England have hazards that pose “a serious and immediate risk to a person’s health and safety.”

Experts warn children living in damp homes are almost three times more likely to have breathing problems; 19% of acute respiratory admissions for under twos would be prevented if housing was damp and mould-free, a BMJ study from 2019 found.

“Mould is a serious issue. If you have a lung condition, your symptoms may get worse, and if you have asthma, mould could cause an asthma attack. Babies, small children, older people and people with allergies are more likely to be affected,” said Emma Rubach, Head of Health Advice at Asthma + Lung UK. “For those in rented accommodation, landlords have a responsibility to their tenants and to fully support them to make sure housing is up to scratch.”

However, the magnitude of the problem is poorly understood as tenants in private-rented properties under-report problems for fear of reprisal.

“The UK has some of the very worst housing stock in Europe and evidence shows a rising number of families are living in poor quality accommodation…”

“The UK has some of the very worst housing stock in Europe and evidence shows a rising number of families are living in poor quality accommodation, with detrimental impacts on children’s health,” said Dr Camilla Kingdon, President, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). “Cold, damp housing conditions lead to increased risk of asthma, respiratory infections, slower cognitive development, and mental health problems in children. We must remember that our housing crisis is also a health crisis.”

RCPCH is urging ministers to establish a process for people in rented and social housing to report indoor air quality problems and are encouraging paediatricians to ask about a family’s living situation when treating a child with a respiratory condition “as this is now a crucial issue for child health,” added Kingdon.

Citizens Advice has urged the government to bring regulation of the private-rental sector in line with social housing. However, local authorities say environmental health and housing teams are severely under-resourced, meaning complaints fail to result in formal action.

Dr Knox concluded: “It’s true that stronger legislation is needed, but we also need a proactive home-building strategy to create better housing stock, designed in a way to stop this from happening more long-term.”

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