Black mould behind my daughter’s bedroom wardrobe was making her sick
Kevin Biderman has fought the Peabody Trust for five years after discovering that the severe damp and mould in his home was a larger problem also affecting friends and neighbours.
Campaigners have warned that around a third of households in the UK are living with the issue of mould, with pregnant women and young people particularly vulnerable to the hazards posed by damp, mould and other housing issues.
As parents of a young child, my wife Helena and I were thrilled to leave the uncertainty of private renting behind and secure social housing through our keyworker status as teachers in 2009. But what I thought was a dream quickly turned into a nightmare when I discovered severe mould and damp issues that Peabody, our housing provider, repeatedly failed to address.
I never imagined the years of neglect, frustration, and health risks my family and I would face in a place that was supposed to offer security. My background has always shaped my perspective. My wife and I have previously been involved in organising campaigns — from reproductive rights to union activism — but never did we think we’d have to fight so hard for basic living conditions in our own home.
The situation reached a breaking point during lockdown. While my daughter was attending school online at home, I noticed she was frequently unwell. One day, I moved her wardrobe and discovered that the entire wall behind it was covered in black mould. Our home, which was supposed to be a safe place, had become a health hazard.
It was terrifying. My daughter’s room was actually making her sick. That’s when I knew I had to take action.
In 2020, during the lockdown, I started talking with my neighbours and realised that the problem wasn’t just in my family's flat — the entire estate was suffering from the same issues. I quickly understood that these were systemic, infrastructural problems that Peabody was not addressing.
Determined to fight back, my wife and I formed a Tenants Association with our neighbours. We began advocating for safe housing across our estate, and with the help of the charity Medact and the London Renters Union, we uncovered just how widespread the issues were. Our flat wasn’t just in disrepair—it was unfit for human habitation. And we weren’t alone. This was happening across our entire estate, and Peabody wasn’t taking responsibility.
We were put in touch with Anthony Gold Solicitors through Medact, who took on our case on a no-win, no-fee basis. We filed a group legal claim against Peabody, determined to hold them accountable for the living conditions they were imposing on us.
The fight became about more than just our home — it became about the entire community. We weren’t just tenants anymore; we had transitioned into housing campaigners.
Through direct action, media exposure, and legal pressure, we’ve managed to secure some small victories. Peabody now offers an on-site repairs surgery two days a week, and there has been a series of investment repairs across the estate. However, these measures have not been enough. An independent surveyor confirmed that my flat—and many others—are still unfit for human habitation.
Peabody only started listening when I got lawyers involved. But even now, they’re not fully addressing the issues. They’re treating symptoms, not the root cause.
As part of the legal case, my independent surveyor used thermal imaging to reveal just how badly my walls were insulated. When the family was finally decanted for brief repair work, I returned to find mould still present. It was another slap in the face.
Throughout this ordeal, my daughter found a way to express her feelings through her A-level art project. She created a powerful piece reflecting the lives of residents on the estate, capturing the struggle, hope, and resilience that we’ve all experienced. Her work became a symbol of my fight, reminding me why I'm doing this—for her, and for everyone who deserves to live in a safe home.
My daughter’s art gave me strength. It showed me that even in the darkest times, I could find a way to fight back and make my voice heard.
What began as a local fight has grown into a larger movement. I’ve connected with residents from other Peabody estates, including Victoria Park and the Lesnes Estate in Thamesmead. Together with the London Renters Union, we’ve organised protests and demanded that Peabody take real action.
One of the joys in all of this has been getting to know my community. I’ve built strong bonds with my neighbours. There is an 81-year-old on our estate who's lived here his whole life, his mother fought fascists in the 1930s, and now he fights with us for safe homes.
The mould, the damp, the neglect—it’s all part of a larger issue with how housing is managed. I found that when people began to talk about their experiences with damp and mould, they often felt ashamed of their homes. The pervasive foul odour that clung to walls, furniture, and clothes was a constant reminder of the decay around them. It wasn’t just a physical intrusion—it was an assault on their dignity.
Living in these conditions took a significant toll on everyone’s mental health. The shame and embarrassment of inviting people over, the frustration of seeing no improvement despite repeated complaints, and the stress of knowing your home could be making your family sick—it all added up. People felt trapped, isolated, and helpless in their own homes, living with a constant sense of anxiety, knowing that the mould wasn’t just damaging their property but also their well-being.
Now we’ve turned that shame into collective power. We’re not just tenants—we’re campaigners, and we’re not going to back down.
We’re fighting not just for ourselves, but for everyone who deserves safe, secure, and affordable housing. Peabody is a charity, but what kind of charity makes people sick? Our fight is far from over.
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As told to Rabina Khan
*A Peabody spokesperson said: “We’re really sorry for the poor conditions in some of the homes and communal areas of this ageing estate.
“We’re working hard to fix the immediate problems on the estate while looking at longer term investment. Improvements have already been made to the exteriors of two buildings. We have a local repairs team based on the estate twice a week so residents can get things done more easily.
“Around a third of residents have taken up the offer of a survey by a specialist company to address any issues in their homes and we are carrying out the recommended work, continuing to monitor any problems so the repairs team can act quickly where needed. We have completed extensive work to address the issues in Kevin’s home and the family has recently moved back in. We’ll be following up to see if any further repairs are needed.
“We are meeting with residents regularly and, as well as the repairs team, have a neighbourhood manager, repairs supervisor and resident liaison officer at the estate.
“It’s our priority to ensure all residents’ homes are safe and well maintained. Last year we spent more than £370m on looking after residents’ homes and we plan to spend a further £2bn over the next few years. We’re carrying out more than 1,000 proactive home inspections each month and have a dedicated damp and mould team.”
