Family face eviction despite damp and mould issue

30 December 2025

Nick ClarkLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Shauni-Leigh Tyson protested outside a Newham Council meeting in October after damp and mould caused health issues that left her partner unable to work

Local Democracy Reporting Service Shauni-Leigh Tyson standing outside a council building surrounded by a crowd of protesters, holding a placard reading 'Cllr Virdee: Act Now!'. The other protesters are also holding placards and flags with messages like 'Mould affected my health', and they are all raising their fists. — Shauni-Leigh Tyson protested outside a Newham Council meeting in October after damp and mould caused health issues that left her partner unable to work

An east London family are pleading with their local council not to be evicted, after health issues caused by damp and mould left them unable to pay their rent.

Shauni-Leigh Tyson, her four children and her partner Adam face being evicted from their home in Plaistow on 23 January, despite having a repayment plan in place with Newham council.

Ms Tyson said the damp had affected the family's health, impacting Adam's ability to work and leaving one of her children requiring steroids, antihistamines and a pump, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The authority said they are working with the family to find an "equitable solution for the rent arrears to be cleared".

Shauni-Leigh Tyson Two pictures side-by-side showing patches of mould on walls inside a house. The picture on the left shows a large patch of mould in a shadowy corner, whilst the picture on the right shows patchy mould affecting the bottom of a wall near a plug socket. — The London Renters' Union said the mould affected Shauni's partner Adam's ability to do his manual job

Ms Tyson moved into the house in 2014, and said it soon developed damp and mould problems.

The London Renters' Union, which is supporting the family's case, said the mould affected Adam's ability to do his manual job, and combined with other benefits problems, this left the family unable to pay rent for a period.

It also claims the family repeatedly complained about the damp and mould, but that this was not fixed until September.

The council said it completed the repairs "in a timely manner, as and when we were able to access the property".

Shauni-Leigh Tyson Two pictures side-by-side showing mould affecting the walls inside a home. The picture on the left shows patchy, dark green mould on the bottom of a wall near a plug socket. The picture on the right shows small black dots of mould all over a wall next to a window. — Ms Tyson said she had been forced to throw away several possessions, including bedding, clothes and sofas, due to the damp issue

Ms Tyson said she had been forced to throw away several possessions due to the damp issue.

"I've had to chuck away two sofas, bedding, books, bags — anything you can think of that is related to the home, I've had to chuck away.

"Curtains, clothes - a lot of clothes - mattresses, bed sheets."

The London Renters' Union said the family had agreed a repayment plan with the council after being issued with an eviction notice in November, but that the threat of eviction remains.

The council said the family will not face eviction if an "equitable solution" is agreed and the family continue to abide by the terms of the rental agreement.

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