Guilty! Lambeth Council gets 3rd damp and mould conviction

At court yesterday London Borough of Lambeth were convicted of an offence under the Environmental Protection Act. They had failed to get rid of serious damp and mould badly affecting one of their tenants flats. They were fined £250 and ordered to pay £750 compensation.

The magistrates also ordered London Borough of Lambeth to carry out substantial works to prevent the damp and mould recurring. These works include installing double glazing to the flat and substantially upgrading the insulation as well as getting rid of the damp and mould. As a result the damp and mould should not return.

Although London Borough of Lambeth had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing they argued that the tenant should not get any compensation. The magistrates disagreed and awarded £750 and fined the Council as well.

Anthony Gold Solicitors advised the tenant initially under the Legal Aid scheme. Legal Aid does not cover the criminal prosecution and so this was brought under a “No-win, no-fee” agreement.

Damp and mould is horrible to live with and can seriously harm your health. Timothy Waitt, who specialises in advising tenants and landlords regarding damp and mould problems, wrote an article describing the problems here.

Are you a tenant and worried about damp, mould and asthma in your house?