Disabled tenant says 'life is pointless' living in mould and mouse-infested home in Hartlepool

Kris Jepson reports on the shocking state that some people in the region are living in as Parliament meets to discuss Renters' Rights Bill


A disabled tenant has told ITV News that "life is pointless" as she feels trapped living in a mould and rodent-infested home on Teesside.

Shalane Durose, 38, has lived in a rented house in Hartlepool since October 2022.

Speaking to ITV Tyne Tees, she said her property is riddled with mould and mice which is affecting both her physical and mental health.

"I live in one room down stairs," she added. "It has got mould in it, but it’s probably the room with the least amount of mould.

"I’m basically chasing mice around every night, they’re getting into all my food. They’re getting into everything."

Shalane Durose says her entire home in Hartlepool is riddled with mould. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Ms Durose said damp is causing mould across the entire property while and the moisture is even rusting her kitchen equipment.

She has been complaining to her landlord for two years about issues but says the firm has failed to tackle them effectively. Meanwhile she says she cannot move as "there are no affordable properties".

"When they send someone it’s just someone who comes and paints over the mould and it comes back within a week," continued the tenant.

“It makes me feel like life is pointless. I don’t want to be here. If I have to keep living like this I don’t want to be here much longer, because it’s not living.”

Ms Durose's story comes as the Renters' Rights Bill was set to be discussed in Parliament on Tuesday (14 January).

Shalane Duroise points out mouse droppings in her kitchen. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

As part of the bill, the Government is looking to bring in new obligations and protections for tenants which include the removal of Section 21 'no fault' evictions and increased obligations for landlords to maintain their properties.

One housing charity in the region believes the new proposed measures would help improve conditions in the private rental sector.

Tracy Ross, from Shelter in Durham, said: “We saw 200 private renters between July and September 2024 being served with a section 21 and that’s also a 53% increase in bailiffs warrants being served in the last year as a result of section 21.

“By scrapping that then hopefully people will feel like they can report repairs without retaliatory evictions and then hopefully the conditions in the private rental sector will improve as a result.”

Mould on the ceiling of Shalane Durose's property. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

One former tenant said the proposed bill has come too late for him and his family.

Aiden Ross lived with his partner and four-year-old son in a rented house in Middlesbrough from summer 2020 until early last year.

He said the property lacked working heating and effective windows and roof as well as being riddled with damp.

Mr Ross told ITV Tyne Tees: "We spent the days lying in one bed, because we had bed warmers but when you’ve got nothing to shield you in your house from that kind of cold, it does get more difficult."

He added that he was unable to re-home his young family due to the pandemic as well as the costs involved and so they were forced to endure the conditions.

On Boxing Day 2023, following a complaint to the landlord, he was handed a no fault eviction notice.

He said: “Due to bank holidays my payslip had come in a couple of days late and I got a text from my landlord the day after it would have normally been in saying ‘where’s the rent?’.

"Obviously I was quite upset and I said ‘where’s my bathroom ceiling? Where’s my bathroom window? Where’s my son’s bedroom window? Where’s the main roof? Where’s the gate? Where’s the damp proofing? Where’s the boiler service? Where’s the electrical safety?’.

"But there was nothing, no response to that. It was just pay the rent or get out.”

Mould spots cover the walls surrounding a window in Shalane Durose's home. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

In response to the claims made by Ms Durose, a spokesperson for the lettings agents which runs the property, Rent UK Property, said: "We are a professional and fully accredited rental agency and our aim is always to provide good service to our tenants and deliver good standards of accommodation.

"At the start of each tenancy our properties are all fully renovated to a high standard, and it is in the interest of our agency, and of the owner, that these are maintained in a good standard with the co-operation and support of our tenants.

"As with any property of this age, problems can arise, and it is better and less costly for both us and the property owner, to ensure such repairs are done in a timely manner -otherwise the costs become even higher.

"There have been several issues with this property, and we have not received co-operation from the tenant in getting these repairs done promptly and this has exacerbated the condition of the property.

"Despite this, we have maintained constant contact with the tenant and have carried out extensive work when we have been granted access.

"We will continue to maintain contact with the tenant and Hartlepool Borough Council and ensure any remaining repairs are done quickly, and the property is maintained in a good condition for the benefit of all."

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