Jane Bennett tragically died of lung disease on 8th June 2023 and following her death a coroner has ruled exposure to toxic mould could have contributed to her passing.
Prior to her death, Bennett, who lived in a council owned bungalow in Mansfield, was admitted to hospital four times in the same month for breathlessness and a cough, which she believed could have been linked to the mould in her property. What’s more, a prevention of future deaths report was issued before the inquest into her death, warning there was a ‘risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken’.
Meanwhile, inspections of other council homes in the area have also been ordered.
Before moving into the bungalow, Bennett lived in a flat but had to move due to her mobility issues and a report found that her health deteriorated after moving into this property. Moreover, Dr John Hutchinson, a consultant at King’s Mill hospital who treated her for lung disease, wrote a letter to Mansfield District Council raising concerns about the impact of mould on her health.
Although, in a devastating turn of events, Bennett’s condition declined and she died two days after the letter was written, meaning it was never sent.
In court, officials were told that Bennett had two large dehumidifiers in her property in an attempt to control the mould problem and had made more than eight complaints to the council. Bennett flagged problems such as a leaky door, celling and radiator – all issues that could have caused the severe mould outbreak.
Nevertheless, Jill Finnesey, head of housing at Mansfield council, said the authority had ‘responded to Jane’s requests’ and carried out necessary work in her home.
She told the inquest: ‘In terms of doing everything we can as a landlord, I feel like we have made every attempt to do that quickly.’
Unfortunately, cases like Jane Bennetts are not unlikely in today’s climate. According to government figures, in England, there are around two million people currently living in homes with significant damp and/or mould problems. With the General Election now just around the corner, members of the public and housing experts are hoping that whoever makes it into Parliament in July seriously prioritises the need to deliver good quality social homes.
Image: boris misevic
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