Authorities have revealed how many Tasmanian homes have received mould-related treatment in the past year

A slew of public housing properties have received treatment for mould in the past year, as an industry body lobbies for more government research to protect tenants’ health.

• Montrose mother Jasmine Garrett says her family’s health has suffered while living in mouldy unit
• Housing Tasmania has revealed the issues it identified at a mouldy public housing complex

MORE than a dozen public housing properties received mould-related repairs over the past 12 months, authorities have revealed, as calls emerge for mould in Tasmanian homes to be made a government research priority to protect tenants’ health.

Mould is a common problem among Tasmanian public housing properties, and while it is considered a significant public health hazard in Canada and the UK where it must be eradicated, the same is not the case in Australia.

Victoria University architectural scientist Tim Law said not enough was being done in Tasmania to protect tenants from the possible health consequences mould presents.

“The thing is that architectural scientists can only manage what we can monitor, and monitor what we can measure,” he said.

“Without research funding we just don’t have enough answers as to how to solve the building-mould-health problem.

Mould inside vacant Milles St public housing unit.

Mouldy unit

“I think the step that needs to be taken is that the public needs to make this a research priority with Tasmania’s Department of Health and State Growth. Public funds need to be directed to research into making buildings, new and old, safe and healthy. Because at the end of the day, the consequences of unhealthy buildings fall on the public.”

It comes after mould tests, commissioned by the Mercury, at a South Hobart public housing complex earlier this year returned readings four times what experts deemed safe.

Medical certificates from a tenant living in a unit there showed the resident’s health had deteriorated while staying at the property, as a result of mould.

A widespread issue in the state, the Mercury can reveal the state’s housing department in the past year addressed mould issues at more than one public housing property per month

Across the 12 months to September 1, the state’s housing department sent 14 mould related claims to its insurance provider JLT.

Mould inside vacant Milles St public housing unit.

Over the same period, there were also 95 claims describing incidents that could potentially cause mould issues, such as water damage, cracked shower trays and roof leaks.

A Housing Tasmania spokesman said where reported mould issues are a result of structural issues, rectification and remedial work are undertaken as necessary.

“Where the cause is found to be the responsibility of the tenant, Housing Tasmania offers advice on how to address the issue,” the spokesman said.

“We are committed to delivering safe and appropriate housing and we encourage anyone with concerns to bring it to the attention of their housing provider so it can be promptly investigated.”