'Sick' renter living with black mould infestation issues desperate plea for help - as they reveal terrifying health battle
- Renter is suffering health difficulties due to mould
- Fellow tenants have advised her to break her lease
A renter has issued a desperate plea for help after revealing they are living with black mould and grappling with a terrifying number of health issues because of it.
The person, who wished to stay anonymous, posted about their 'desperate situation' and 'poor living conditions' in Sydney on the Don't Rent Me Facebook group.
'Moved in, 2 months into the lease noticed black mould growing on walls and ceiling. I tried to clean it, got dehumidifiers in every room - no result,' they wrote.
A Sydney renter suffering health complications due to black mould in their home has been advised by fellow renters to leave now. A young woman is pictured in an apartment
'To make it worse, it seems to have given me an allergic reaction (skin rush, issues breathing, itchy eyes).
'My REA (real estate agent) was quick to get mould cleaners out, and they found issues with ventilation and a roof leak.'
But the renter said what the cleaners did was just a temporary fix and they don't know what to do.
'So very likely the mould will grow back. Unless they fix the root cause - which would require a decent renovation.'
The person is wondering if they 'should break the lease', but concerned for the legal implications if they do so and the health implications if they don't.
They are also worried about trying to find somewhere else to live in the midst of Australia's worst rental crisis in years.
'Think it's easier for (the landlord) to let me break the lease and get new people in while the property still looks mould free after the clean... sick cycle,' they added.
There was a furious response from other posters on the board, with many advising them not to risk further damage to their health as mould can be deadly.
'Surely there should be grounds to break a lease with no cost due to health conditions such as this. It's not liveable,' one person wrote.
'My sister broke her lease for a similar issue, she got her REA friend to help her write a letter so she could break her lease at no penalty to her as the unit wasn't safe to live in,' another said.
A third commenter advised them to make a report to the 'council about the roof repairs and mould so they cannot re-lease the property without repairs taking place'.
The renter said the mould (pictured) clean up was just a temporary fix and they don't know what to do
The NSW Tenant's Union said agents and landlords have to disclose mould in a property's condition report if they know about it.
'Whether or not they note the presence of mould/dampness, (the landlord) cannot avoid the obligation to keep the premises in reasonable repair during the tenancy,' their website said.
Fair Trading NSW Additionally said the repair is considered 'urgent' if the mould is causing health problems, such as in this case.
New research by three Australian universities found a majority of rental properties across the country are putting people's health and wellbeing at risk.
'This leaves many people with no option but to endure poor living conditions such as houses that are cold, damp, or mouldy,' University of South Australia architecture lecturer Dr Lyrian Daniel said.
The Don't Rent Me Facebook group allows renters to air their gripes and seek advice from others in a similar position, but it bars landlords and property agents.
'Landlords and agents are not allowed, as they have been found to continuously flame & bait tenants in our group,' the website said.
WHAT IS BLACK MOULD?
Black mould, which is also known as toxic black mould, is a type of mould often found in damp or water-damaged buildings.
A woman is pictured looking at mould
To grow, black mould needs very high moisture levels. These can be the result of flooding, leaking roofs, plumbing issues, or poor building maintenance.
Black mould typically grows in materials such as timber, plasterboard, wood framing, composite wood flooring, carpets and carpet underlay.
Black mould has a mildewy or musty smell and is black in colour, whereas other mould species that grow in houses may be pink, grey, white or brown.
Source: airsafe.net.au
