More than a quarter of adults are living in homes with damp, mould or cold, according to a report. A study of 3,982 adults found those living in the lowest income households are nearly two times more likely to live in homes with damp and mould than households with the highest incomes, 21% compared with 12%.They’re also around four times more likely to live in a cold home.
Commissioned by Health Equals, the research shows a fifth of renters have issues like damp or mould – rising to 23% for those in rented social housing. While 47% of adults living in these conditions have children living with them.
To highlight this problem, the campaign group treated Christmas shoppers to a bizarre sight by showing hazmat onesies seemingly on sale.
Vinyl stickers on the window highlighted how many UK homes are riddled with life-threatening mould or damp, as the Hazmat loungewear suits offer an absurd solution to the real problem millions of Brits face in their own homes today.
But the eye-catching stunt has a serious message. TV property expert Martin Roberts, who teamed up with the campaign group for the activation, said: “After more than two decades visiting thousands of homes across the UK, I’ve seen first-hand how damp, cold and mould can destroy both a property and the wellbeing of the people living in it.
“It’s not just unsightly, it’s in the very fabric of people’s properties as well as, more importantly, their health.
“Good housing is the foundation for good health. You can’t expect people to thrive if the very place they’re meant to feel safe is actually making them sick.
“That’s why I’m proud to support this campaign; because everyone deserves to live in a warm, dry, safe and healthy home.”
The campaign is also backed by housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa, who said: “Damp, mould and disrepair are symptoms of a much deeper inequality in this country.
“I’ve spent years meeting families who are trying to raise their children in homes that would fail even the most basic standards – properties that landlords or councils should have fixed long ago.
“That’s why this campaign is so important. It doesn’t just highlight the problem; it’s demanding real change.
“Stronger laws to make every landlord take responsibility, proper funding to repair homes, and a cross-government plan to make sure no one’s health is determined by their postcode or income.”
The research also found 37% live with people who have underlying health conditions, such as asthma or heart failure, and this may worsen.
Around half (53%) think private landlords are responsible for maintaining privately rented properties, but 76% agree the government should implement a plan to prevent health inequalities.
Dr Andy Whittamore, a practising GP and Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK, member of Health Equals, said: “No one should have to live in a home that harms their health, yet as this new research shows, that is the reality for millions of people in the UK.
“Living in damp or mouldy housing puts people living with chronic lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at risk of life-threatening flare-ups and means they are more likely to need emergency care.
“Long-term exposure to mould can also cause lung conditions like asthma in previously healthy individuals.
“It’s high time for urgent government action to protect the health of the most vulnerable people in our society, ensuring everyone can stay warm and well at home.”