Mouldy unit a nightmare for tenant
A MOULD-infested social housing unit has been labelled a health risk by doctors.
On Tuesday, disability support pensioner Brigitte Hordern obtained a doctor’s note after experiencing a racking cough, shortness of breath and rapidly deteriorating lung health.
Ms Hordern suffers preexisting asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and fibrosis, but her doctor warns that the black mould riddling her floor could worsen her symptoms.
“Brigitte has a known respiratory impairment and should not remain in her home whilst the mould issue is being remedied due to risk of exposure to mould and dust exacerbating her lung condition,” the note reads.
Ms Hordern has been pleading with Housing Tasmania, the Tasmanian Ombudsman and the state government to rectify the situation, but to no avail.
She said she could hardly sleep at night, terrified the black mould would kill her one of these days unless it was removed or she was relocated to another house.
“It’s really scary at times and it’s horrible living with rattles and coughs going on in your chest. It’s definitely toxic,” Ms Hordern said.
“Over the last two years I’ve had more chest infections, emphysema flare-ups, asthma, bronchitis issues than I have in my entire life.”
Tenants’ Union of Tasmania principal solicitor Ben Bartl said mould-infested social houses such as this one were distressingly common in Tasmania.
He said this was due to the weaker tenancy laws compared to states such as Victoria, where landlords must disclose whether their property has had mould infestation
in the past three years.
Also under Tasmanian law, social houses are not required to have window coverings or protections which are a legal requirement for private homes.
“It’s terrible that people have to live in uninhabitable premises, as Brigitte’s doctor has found,” Mr Bartl said.
“Tasmania’s minimum standards are no longer fit for purpose and we are calling for a review of the Residential Tenancy Act to ensure people like Brigitte are not having to live in properties with significant mould and damp issues.”
A departmental spokesman said the problem was being addressed.
“We are taking Ms Hordern’s concerns seriously. In anticipation of receiving the report from the hygienist company, restorations have been scheduled to commence on Monday with appropriate accommodation secured that meets the agreement and needs of Ms Hordern,” the spokesman said.
“Insurance contractors are already attending the property to prepare for works that will be confirmed based on the outcome of the hygienist’s investigation.”