Mould infestations on London’s Bethnal Green Estate have sparked outrage among tenants, who claim cosmetic repairs have failed to address root causes of damp and mould issues. As the government introduces stricter rules for landlords, tenants demand better living conditions.
A group of tenants on the Bethnal Green Estate in east London are fighting against the Peabody housing association over long-standing problems with damp and mould in their homes. The tenants claim that previous repairs have only been cosmetic, failing to address the root causes of the issues.
Mould infestations occur when moisture accumulates in buildings, enabling mould growth.
This can be caused by water damage, condensation, or poor ventilation.
Common areas affected include bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Mould spores release allergens and toxins, triggering respiratory issues and other health problems.
Regular cleaning, good ventilation, and prompt repairs can prevent mould infestations.
However, severe cases may require professional remediation to ensure safety.
For Lorraine Branch, a tenant on the Nags Head Estate who has lived there for 14 years with her four children, the problems are personal. ‘We’re treated like peasants,’ she says. ‘Like we’re not good enough to live in decent homes.’ The damp and mould have caused health issues, including respiratory illnesses, which Lorraine Branch believes are linked to the poor living conditions.
Despite complaints for years, Peabody has failed to adequately address the problems. In 2024, the housing association invested over £1m on improvements, but tenants claim that these repairs were only temporary fixes. The issues persist, with some flats still having visible mould and damp.
Tenants have enlisted the help of lawyers and health workers from the charity Medact to fight for a solution. Dr Isobel Braithwaite from Medact believes that high rates of health problems on the estate are linked to mould and damp. ‘We’ve seen really extensive issues with damp, mould, leaks and disrepair,’ she explains.
The government has announced plans to introduce stricter rules for landlords to fix damp and mouldy properties more quickly. Campaigners have called for these changes after two-year-old Awaab Ishak died due to mould at his Rochdale home in 2020. The Peabody Group must do better to address the issues on the Bethnal Green Estate.
Tracy Packer, Peabody’s managing director for north-east London, acknowledges that the situation is challenging. ‘Unfortunately, it will take time to resolve all the issues,’ she says. The Peabody Group has invested over £1m on improvements last year and plans to design a £3m plan with residents.
For Fatima Tejani, who has lived on the estate for 16 years, the problems have had a devastating impact on her health. She believes that the repairs were cosmetic and did not address the root causes of the mould and damp. ‘I’m really worried about the combination of water and electricity,’ she says.
The tenants on the Bethnal Green Estate deserve better than temporary fixes and inadequate action from Peabody. The government’s new rules will help to ensure that landlords fix damp and mouldy properties more quickly, but it is up to Peabody to take immediate action to address the issues on their estate.
The Bethnal Green Estate is a large housing estate located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
The estate was developed in the 1950s and 1960s to rehouse families displaced by World War II bombing.
It covers an area of approximately 64 acres and comprises over 1,000 homes.
The estate has undergone significant regeneration efforts since the 1990s, including a major redevelopment project completed in 2014.
