‘We’ll do our darnedest’: Councillors urge residents to get in touch about damp and mould following complaints about ‘ambulance-chasing’ leaflets

An example of mould. Photograph: Thomas Anderson / Flickr

“Ambulance-chasers” are contacting residents to see if they want to take action against Islington Council over damp and mould problems.

The Housing Ombudsman is currently looking into the way the council handles the issue in its 36,000 homes.

Several cases have hit the headlines recently and housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa highlighted concerns over one family’s struggle to get their problems fixed.

Cllr Una O’Halloran, the politician with responsibility for housing, said residents contacted her after so-called “ambulance-chasers” leafleted them.

Concerns over damp and mould have been in the spotlight following the death of Rochdale toddler, Awaab Ishak, from a respiratory illness caused by mould.

Cllr O’Halloran urged council residents to contact the Town Hall if they have problems.

“We want to help. We need to get it sorted out.”

Dean Donaghey, a resident observer from Finsbury Park on the housing scrutiny committee, said: “I am very worried about cards coming through the door. I’ve had six in the last three months.”

He said the cards were from firms offering to sue the council and end up in his bin, but other residents have contacted him about them.

“People are frightened,” he said.

Residents can contact the housing services department on 020 7527 5400 or freephone 0800 694 3344, or email dampandmould@islington.gov.uk, and can ask for a free survey of their home.

The council launched a series of measures to improve the way it deals with mould and damp problems.

It includes reviewing the 3,500 cases it has tackled over the last three years and carrying out checks three months after work is done.

So far it has reviewed repairs at 150 homes, according to head of housing property services, Matt West.

“There is a high level of demand (for checks) and we are struggling to get additional surveyors,” he said.

Cllr Mick Gilgunn (Tollington) asked about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis as residents cut down on heating costs.

He said: “Families in dire straits are putting the heating on in one room, making other rooms vulnerable.”

Cllr O’Halloran told residents: “We will do our darnedest to help. Do not suffer in silence. If you are struggling, get in touch with us.”

The council has schemes such as the hardship fund to support people in need.

Whilst mould and damp is found in wards across Islington, homes on the communal heating programme are less likely to be beset by the problem.