Social housing resident fears black mould infestation will kill her

A disability support pensioner said she is terrified black mould will kill her after her infested social housing unit was deemed a health hazard by doctors. LATEST >>

A mould-infested social housing unit has been deemed 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 from pre-existing 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 government to rectify the situation, but to no avail.

Toxic house

She said she can hardly sleep at night, terrified that the black mould will kill her one of these days unless it is removed or she is 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,” Mrs 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.

For SunTas. Ben Bartl solicitor at the Tenants Union who deal with student housing issues. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

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 that people like Brigitte are not having to live in properties with significant mould and damp issues.”

A departmental spokesperson said they were working to rectify the issues.

“We are taking Ms Hordern’s concerns seriously. In anticipation of receiving the report outcome from the hygienist company, restorations have been scheduled to commence on Monday 25 October with appropriate accommodation secured that meets the agreement and needs of Ms Hordern,” the spokesperson said.

“The results of air sampling, which will provide industry standard advice, are expected over the coming days.

“Insurance contractors are already attending the property to prepare for works that will be confirmed based on the outcome of the hygienist’s investigation.

“We will continue to keep Ms Hordern up to date with the scope and timing of works.”

Social housing property labelled a ‘health hazard’

A DISABILITY support pensioner fears she is slowly being killed by the toxic black mould riddling her floor and carpet.

Moonah social housing resident Brigitte Hordern said she has sent more than 30 emails to Housing Tasmania, the health department and the tenants’ union, but has so far seen no action.

She suffers from asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and fibrosis, and her pulmonologist warns that black mould would worsen her conditions.

“I’m just so frustrated. I have four lung conditions, but I don’t think they get it,” Ms Hordern said.

“You’re just a number and unless you start being the squeaky wheel you don’t get heard.

“I have emailed so many people, I have been on the phone to Housing that many times, but nothing ever happens.”

Ms Hordern believes the mould problem was caused by several leaky doors and windows, which she has also reported to Housing Tasmania.

Some of the mould has been painted over, however, no work was performed to remove it from the floor.

Brigitte Hordern has been begging Housing Tasmania to fix her mould problem. Picture: Kenji Sato

A Housing Tasmania spokesman said mould issues could usually have been prevented by tenants themselves.

“Mould issues are most commonly an avoidable problem which can be prevented with ventilation and minor maintenance,” the spokesman said.

“Housing Tasmania responded to emails sent from the tenant over the weekend and contacted her on Monday [October 11] to arrange an inspection which has occurred [on Monday] at 1pm.

“We have acted to engage an expert to inspect and recommend either hygiene measures or, if necessary, rectification works.”

The spokesman said if mould was caused by structural issues, they would work to resolve the issue.

Ms Hordern said the black mould was not her fault, insisting she has kept her house spotless for the past seven years.

“You can come to my place any day or night and it looks like this. I have OCD with cleaning,” she said.

“I take a lot of pride in my home – I pay my rent, I’ve paid my taxes, and I don’t need to be living in a health hazard.”

Ms Hordern said living in social housing was not her choice, having worked for more than 30 years before succumbing to illness and landing on the disability support pension.