Bolton Housing Association Tenant Left Living with Mould for Months

Ms Procopisina, a Bolton at Home resident, was told to paint over the mould in her ground-floor flat.

A housing association tenant in Halliwell, Bolton, has spoken out after being left to live with mould in her property for several months, despite having mobility issues and raising concerns with her landlord. 
Valentina Procopisina, 73, reported the mould to her landlord on multiple occasions but says she was advised to “paint over it” rather than receive a proper repair.

The situation has highlighted broader concerns about disrepair issues in social housing and the barriers some tenants face when trying to get problems addressed.

Persistent damp and mould

After suffering issues with her knees, Ms Procopisina moved from her upper floor flat that she had rented from Bolton at Home for 10 years into a ground floor unit in the same building. She soon began to notice issues with damp and mould in the flat, as well as problems with fans and ventilation in her bedroom.

The mould began to spread across walls and ceilings in her home, and despite multiple requests for assistance, it was not treated for several months. She explained to Bolton News that the presence of mould was affecting her daily life and wellbeing, particularly given her limited mobility.

Eventually, a team was sent to remove the mould and carry out some repairs following contact from Bolton News. However, by this point, the damage had already impacted the tenant's comfort, health, and sense of safety in her home.

Mould and damp are among the most common issues reported by tenants living in social housing, and in many cases, they are not dealt with promptly. In properties with vulnerable residents, such as older tenants or those with health concerns, delays can pose serious risks.

Tenant rights and landlord responsibilities

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their properties are kept in a good state of repair. This includes addressing:

• Damp and mould
• Leaks and water ingress
• Faulty heating or hot water systems
• Structural issues that impact safety or habitability

If repairs are not carried out within a reasonable timeframe after being reported, tenants have the right to escalate the complaint. This could include contacting the Housing Ombudsman, or pursuing a ‘no-win, no-fee’ legal claim for housing disrepair.

What does the Housing Ombudsman do?

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent, impartial service that helps resolve disputes between tenants and their social landlords, such as housing associations or local authorities. 

If a tenant has reported an issue, such as damp, mould, or repairs that have not been resolved satisfactorily, and has completed their landlord’s complaints process, they can escalate the matter to the Ombudsman. 

The Ombudsman can investigate complaints, make formal findings, and, where appropriate, order the landlord to carry out repairs, apologise, or pay compensation. It’s a free service available to all social housing tenants in England.

Legal Action and potential compensation

In situations where landlords fail to carry out repairs, tenants may be able to claim compensation for:

• Damage to personal belongings
• Impact on physical or mental health
• Distress or inconvenience caused by the disrepair
• Loss of use of parts of the property

While tenants can choose to go to the Housing Ombudsman for compensation claims, legal action can also help ensure that compensation is secured and repairs are finally completed to a suitable standard. Tenants who are unsure of their rights or who have had repeated repair requests ignored are encouraged to seek legal advice.

Awaab’s Law and upcoming changes

From October 2025, a new piece of legislation known as Awaab’s Law will come into effect. Named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died due to exposure to mould in a social housing flat, the law will introduce strict timeframes for repairs relating to mould and damp.

Once it takes effect, landlords will be legally required to investigate and address hazards like mould more quickly, and emergency repairs will need to be acted on within 24 hours.

Premier Legal Assist can help

Premier Legal Assist works with a panel of specialist ‘no-win, no-fee’ housing disrepair solicitors who have experience in dealing with local councils and housing associations across the UK. We help tenants:

• Understand their legal rights
• Gather evidence to support a claim
• Secure repairs and pursue compensation

If you are living in a property affected by disrepair, such as mould, leaks, broken heating, or structural issues, and your landlord has failed to take action, you may be entitled to make a claim.

To find out if you are eligible to make a ‘no-win, no-fee’ claim, complete our short form, and a member of our team will be in touch.