Newcastle's Damp and Mould Crisis: A National Disgrace
Newcastle has officially earned itself a spot in the Big Issue's top 10 worst cities in Britain for damp and mould. The city is ranked number five nationally, but for our members, Newcastle City Council, the largest landlord in Newcastle upon Tyne and the body that is supposed to regulate and inspect private rented properties, is number one in failing to ensure safe and healthy homes.
That's why we took action this week.
Parvin's Story: 18 Months of Neglect
Parvin and her family have been living with damp and mould in their council home since August 2023. Despite months of reports, visits, and so-called repairs, the problems persist. Newcastle City Council's response? Papering over the cracks—literally. Temporary fixes, empty reassurances, and a complete refusal to tackle the root cause.
Food & Solidarity has been supporting Parvin since September 2024, and after months of back-and-forth emails, frustrating delays, and continued inaction, we had to make it clear: this is unacceptable.
Direct Action: Awarding the Certificate of Incompetence
This week, we visited Parvin's home alongside members to demand real action. We handed Newcastle City Council an award—a Certificate of Incompetence for Damp and Mould Repairs—to mark their utter failure to fix the situation and on behalf of the many tenants in Newcastle in similar and worse situations.
"Newcastle is number five in the 'Big Issues' worst cities for damp and mould... but they're number one in our hearts for failing our members."
Council's Response: Promises and Apologies
Council representatives were there to receive the award, and they admitted that some repairs had been ineffective. They promised:
- A full schedule of works
- A review of all repairs that have already been done
- An apology to Parvin and her family
But words mean nothing without action.
The Ongoing Fight: Months of Pressure
We've heard these promises before. Back in November, after months of pressure, the council finally agreed to conduct critical repairs to Parvin's home, provide a dehumidifier, and compensate for damaged belongings. While some repairs did happen, a full schedule of works was never produced. Instead, Parvin and her family have been left in limbo, dealing with endless appointments, cancellations, and the stress of never knowing when—or if—their home will be fully repaired.
This is why we took action again.
Newcastle's Wider Housing Crisis: 2,000 Unresolved Cases
The council has now committed to reviewing repairs from the beginning, producing a full schedule of works, and issuing an apology. But we are not going anywhere—we know from experience that the only way to get results is through collective action.
Parvin's story is not unique. Newcastle City Council has failed to fix almost 2,000 reported damp and mould cases in their own properties alone, leaving families across the city in dangerous living conditions.
Report Your Housing Issue
Fill out our form if you have damp, mould, or other housing issues in Newcastle upon Tyne:
Join the Fight for Safe Homes
If you're tired of waiting, tired of being ignored, and ready to fight for safe homes, join us. Get involved with Food & Solidarity today.
Together, through collective action and mutual aid, we can force Newcastle City Council and private landlords to provide the safe, healthy homes that every person in Newcastle upon Tyne deserves.
