Newcastle City Council has issued a formal notice to a South Jesmond landlord, requiring urgent property repairs following a complaint from a tenant – and is asking others to come forward if they’ve faced similar issues.

In the last week of October, Newcastle City Council issued a formal notice to a landlord requiring the urgent repair of a property due to damp, mould and other substandard living conditions.

This was in response to a complaint made by a former tenant of the property. Labour councillor Milo Barnett, who was elected in May, told JesmondLocal this was one of his pre-election pledges: to tackle substandard living conditions for renters. Cllr Barnett said he would hold landlords accountable to ensure safe, liveable conditions for renters in Jesmond. “The council will do what it can to protect people,” he said.

The student, who has since vacated the property, which Cllr Barnett declined to name, first raised concerns to address the issues with the property directly to the landlord and property agent but the issues were allegedly ignored.

The student claimed their property had persistent damp, mould and a leaking roof – which they argued could cause potential health risks for living in these conditions. Unsatisfied by the landlord and agents’ response, they turned to the council, which acted, forwarding the complaint to the relevant housing committee. Following this, the landlord agreed to fix the issues within the council’s specified timeframe. 

Cllr Barnett said the council was committed to improving living standards. “The message we have to landlords is that we want you to deliver a high-quality service that works for tenants as well as the local community,” he said. 

Landlords must maintain their properties and communicate regularly with tenants under law. The council, Cllr Barnett explained, will continue to support tenants in similar disputes. “The council will do what it can to protect people that are in disputes with their landlord,” he said. If landlords fail to fulfil their obligations, “centuries of English legal case law will be on the side of any student,” he added.

The council’s swift action, resolving the issue “within 10 working days”, according to Barnett, underlined its commitment to ensuring renter’s rights.

However, issues like these aren’t uncommon in Jesmond as Phoebe Bennie, a student living in Jesmond, explained to JesmondLocal. “My room was full of damp and mould, and I reported it my landlord, but took it no further as my housemates’ rooms were fine and I didn’t want to kick up a fuss,” she said.

Barnett told JesmondLocal that landlords must not provide substandard living conditions, and while this case was resolved promptly, he urged “anybody with issues to contact us, as well bodies like the Student Union or university.” 

If you are a tenant and have had, or are experiencing issues with your property in Jesmond, please contact: HousingComplaints@Newcastle.gov.uk