Hi, my name is Spongaldrifter27! How to stay warm in a cold mouldy flat?

Spongaldrifter27
Spongaldrifter27 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
edited February 23 in Housing and independent living

Hello.

I'm Simon from Lowestoft, just wondered how you cope with 2 people with medical issues keep warm in a cold, damp, mouldy flat?

Comments

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 8,128 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Welcome to the community @Spongaldrifter27. That's not easy at all. Are you living in a council property, renting or do you own your home?

    My colleague Holly made a post with some tips for keeping warm over winter in case that's useful to you: Smart Energy Tips.

    I know it's quite expensive as an outgoing, but could an air purifier or dehumidifier help you keep the mouldy air at bay while you wait for a longer-term fix?

  • Spongaldrifter27
    Spongaldrifter27 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    Thank you for your reply, we live with Anchor Housing, they don't do anything to help us, to get all the machines to somehow deal with the cold and damp cost to much, we are only on a state pension, we have ask to move, as most properties with Anchor have heating in with the rent, which can be so much better for us, we are in a flat on its own and don't get that, but its hard to move.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 8,128 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    That sounds really difficult @Spongaldrifter27, sorry to hear that Anchor haven't been very helpful. Have you made any complaints to anyone about the state of your flat at all?

    If Anchor aren't being cooperative, you could try talking to your local councillor or MP to see if they can put some pressure on. And if you've already complained to Anchor and not had much resolution, you could look into contacting the Housing Ombudsman.

    You might also like to look into whether there are any grants that could either help you move or help you afford some electronics to help with the damp. Turn2Us have a search tool here: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/

    Are you finding the damp and cold is affecting your health?

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,568 Championing
    edited February 23

    Awaab's law might be relevant here.

    https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/make-things-right/new-law/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23071081322&gbraid=0AAAAApZMC1mtGQE97-0ljh_1xEoywrJGy&gclid=CjwKCAiAkvDMBhBMEiwAnUA9BV58oE4-bpVUz0ydB8TU0LCz7ZLzW75LdXSJ5SDe_njTCbMuFdkTExoCS4oQAvD_BwE

  • Spongaldrifter27
    Spongaldrifter27 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    Thank you for your replies .

    The damp has given issues already I have COPD and my wife has RA, so we have to be very warm, the money we got from Government has all gone, our heating bills are really high because of my wife's illness, its a very cold flat on its own, it can take all day with the heating on to just warm the place up, We just don't know what to do anymore, we have tried private renting but the the rents are so high, so we are stuck.

    Thanks anyway.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 8,128 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    That doesn't sound easy at all @Spongaldrifter27. Please do consider making some firmer complaints or chatting to your MP to see if they can do anything to help. It's awful that you're living somewhere that's affecting your health problems so much but I can understand that there may not be any better options at the moment. I hope you can find a way forward soon.

    Does your flat get warmer in the summer months or is it usually cold all year round? Hopefully there's some better weather on the way.

  • Spongaldrifter27
    Spongaldrifter27 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    Thanks Rosie, Its cool in the summer as well but our bedroom is south facing so its nice and warm in there when the sun is shinning. But a cold old flat most of the year. Roll on summer if we get one.

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