Mum Fears Mouldy Council Home is Making Four-Year-Old Son Ill

29-year-old Kayleigh Ackerman and her four-year-old son, Billy, have lived in a mould-infested Cardiff Council flat in Plasnewydd since 2024. She now fears for her son’s health in the wake of Awaab’s Law, as conditions have worsened.

Damp and mould had become so bad in the property that it began to cover towels, bedding, and personal belongings, which had to be thrown away. A leak from the flat above escalated the problem rapidly, causing the damp and mould to affect the structural integrity of the walls. Eventually, plasterboard fell from the bathroom ceiling, hitting Ms Ackerman’s son.

After reporting the problem, Cardiff Council refused to help and claimed that the responsibility lay with the tenants above her. Since moving into the property, Kayleigh’s son has been diagnosed with asthma and anaemia and has been battling a respiratory infection.

The harmful effects of damp and mould exposure

If untreated, prolonged mould exposure, dampness, and fungus can cause respiratory problems and infections. This happens because mould irritates the airways, leading to coughing and shortness of breath, and can even progress into conditions such as asthma.  

Since moving into her Cardiff Council flat, Kayleigh's concerns have grown as her son's health has worsened, commenting, "He should be happy running around full of energy, and he's not; he's constantly sitting down with a bad cough, and he can't breathe."

Ms Ackerman told Wales Online that her concerns for her son and his deteriorating health are increased in the aftermath of the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died as a result of continuous mould exposure at his parents’ Rochdale housing association property in 2020. "I've heard about a little boy that passed away with mould on his lungs,” she says, “and it's just playing on my head so much like my mental health for the last two, three months has been at an all-time low. I am so scared."

Despite the introduction of Awaab's Law which came into effect on 27th October 2025 in memory of Awaab, many councils and social housing providers continue to lag when it comes to providing appropriate and timely responses to damp and mould complaints.

What is Awaab’s Law?

Awaab’s Law, which was introduced in July 2023 as part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, is a piece of legislation introducing new regulations that social housing providers must follow. This was introduced in response to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in 2020, after prolonged mould exposure was found to be a contributing factor.

As of 27th October 2025, social housing landlords are now required to meet the following practices by Law:

• A report of damp or mould in a social home must be investigated within 10 working days.
• The investigation findings must be summarised within three days of the conclusion.
• If there is a significant risk of harm to the health and safety of the resident posed by damp and mould, the social landlord must make the property safe (using temporary measures if necessary) within five working days of the investigation. Additional work needed to prevent serious recurring hazards must be completed within 12 weeks, and the overall repair works must be completed within a reasonable time.
• In an emergency, the social landlord must investigate and action any emergency repairs as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within 24 hours.
• If the property cannot be made safe within the specified timescales for Awaab’s Law, then the social landlord must offer to arrange for the residents to stay in suitable alternative accommodation, at the social landlord’s expense, until it is safe to return.  
• Landlords must keep clear records of attempts to comply with these requirements, including records of all correspondence with the resident(s) and any contractors. If the landlord cannot meet these requirements for reasons beyond their control, they will be expected to provide a record of the reasons that prevented them from doing so.  

In 2026, further requirements will be introduced for a broader range of hazards, including: falls, excess heat and cold, structural damage, explosions, fire and electrical hazards.

Housing Ombudsman

Kayleigh Ackerman’s story highlights severe issues with maintenance and communication by local authorities, such as Cardiff Council, ahead of the introduction of Awaab's Law at the end of this month.

Having lived in damp and mouldy conditions for over a year, her social housing provider has arranged temporary accommodation for her family. However, the long wait has had a damaging impact on her son's health.

If a social housing provider has failed to provide a safe and habitable environment, then tenants can contact the Housing Ombudsman service (HOS) or seek legal advice for a housing disrepair claim.

HOS is an independent and impartial public body that can action long-overdue complaints relating to tenant and landlord disputes. Tenants may also be able to claim compensation for stress, damage or damage to their belongings caused by unresolved repairs.

Premier Legal Assist can help

If you are living in disrepair, such as damp and mould and your landlord has refused to act, or has not acted within a reasonable timeframe after reporting the disrepair, you may be entitled to make a claim for repairs and in some cases compensation.  

If you have an eligible claim, Premier Legal Assist can connect you with a team of specialist housing disrepair lawyers who operate on a 'no-win, no-fee' basis. Our panel of specialist lawyers has years of experience dealing with local councils and housing associations across the UK.

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