Why damp and mould are a problem for people with asthma?
Mould is a type of fungus that grows in damp places. If you’ve got mould at home, you’ll see fuzzy black, white or green patches on the walls, ceiling or tiles. Damp and mould are more common in bathrooms and kitchens because of condensation from showering and cooking. Damp and mould can cause worsening of asthma symptoms and acute asthma flare-ups.
Everyone deserves a home that is safe and habitable. When you are renting from a local County or City Council, you have the right to a home that meets certain standards.
Your local authority, as your landlord, is under a duty to ensure your home meets these standards. These standards cover issues such as the structural condition of your home, damp, heating and ventilation.
It’s important to act against damp and mould in your home, as they can make your asthma worse.
Poor housing conditions are strongly associated with respiratory ill-health. The WHO estimates that 15% of childhood asthma cases in Europe are attributable to indoor dampness, while cold indoor temperatures exacerbate asthma symptoms and reduce lung function.
Globally, household air pollution from solid fuels caused approximately 3.2 million deaths in 2020. Irish evidence shows significantly higher asthma prevalence among residents of damp, poorly insulated social housing, with widespread reporting of mould-related health impacts.
Evaluation of Ireland’s Warmth and Wellbeing scheme demonstrates that home energy efficiency upgrades improve respiratory health and reduce healthcare utilisation.
Who to contact?
- Your local Community Welfare Officer
- Citizens Advice Bureau
What can I do if standards are not met?
As a local authority tenant, you can report issues to the maintenance section in the local authority and ask them to carry out the necessary repairs. Ideally, put your complaint in writing and/or email so that they have a record of your request. If you would like help to write this request, you can check out the template letter below to guide you, or ask a friend, colleague or advocate to help you.
If you do not get a satisfactory response, use the Local Authority Internal Customer Complaints Procedure. This is on their website.
If this doesn’t get the results you want, you can contact Community Law & Mediation for free legal advice. You can also contact 01 847 7804 to book a phone or in-person appointment.
Template letter to report poor housing conditions to a Local Authority.