How Can Disrepair Affect Your Health

When a property deteriorates and falls into disrepair, it can have adverse effects on your health.

If you’re renting, this is completely unacceptable, and your housing association or local council should take action to rectify the issue.

Housing disrepair can manifest in various ways, including mould, pest infestations, faulty plumbing, and sanitation problems. Such disrepair can lead to a range of health issues, with the most common ones being:

Allergic Reactions

Exposure to certain substances, such as mould spores, dust mites, and chemicals found in building materials, can cause allergic reactions in the body. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, watery eyes and nose, itchy eyes, a sore throat, congestion, coughing, sneezing, eczema, and other skin conditions. If you’re living in poor housing conditions, these symptoms may be related.

Respiratory Conditions, Including Asthma

For some individuals, exposure to specific allergens can irritate the respiratory system and lead to conditions like asthma. Cockroaches, for instance, have been identified as asthma triggers in inner-city neighbourhoods. Respiratory conditions can also result from exposure to dampness, mould, and hazardous materials like asbestos. According to the NHS people who live in a damp and mouldy home have a higher risk of respiratory infections/problems, allergies, and asthma.

Respiratory Infections

Living in cold, damp, and mouldy conditions can increase the risk of respiratory infections, including sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Vulnerable populations, such as the young and elderly, are particularly susceptible.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Broken drains, pipes, water systems, and toilets can expose tenants to gastrointestinal infections due to contact with faecal matter or contaminated water. Pest infestations, unhygienic conditions, and inadequate waste management systems can also contribute to these infections, leading to symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration, which can be especially severe for immunocompromised individuals.

Poisoning

Inadequate ventilation, hazardous building materials, and structural disrepair can expose residents to toxic substances like smoke, lead, radon gas, and carbon monoxide. These substances can cause breathing difficulties, nervous system disorders, cancer, and even fatalities. Carbon monoxide leaks, for instance, can lead to fatal poisoning within a short time.

Physical Injuries

Unsafe housing conditions increase the likelihood of physical injuries from incidents like trips, falls, burns, scalds, cuts, and electric shocks. These injuries can result from uneven flooring, faulty wiring, malfunctioning appliances, broken doors and windows, and structural damage, among other hazards.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure, can be exacerbated by housing disrepair, especially in properties that are cold, damp, or mouldy.

Anxiety and Depression

Living in a poorly maintained property can also take a toll on mental health, leading to anxiety and depression. Research indicates that housing issues have negatively affected the mental health of 21% of adults in England within the past five years.