Ceiling turned black in Fenland flat riddled with damp and mould

The flat, along with six others have been taken over by a new landlord

A flat in Wisbech was found by the council riddled with damp and mould, which had left the bathroom ceiling completely black. The flat was among one of seven owned by the same landlord, others of which also had damp and mould issues.

Fenland District Council became aware of the condition of the flats when a tenant reached out for support with paying a deposit. The tenant was moved to different accommodation as their flat was deemed not habitable. The landlord said they didn’t want to keep and maintain the flats so offered them for sale.

The flats have now been purchased and refurbished by a new landlord. Some of the flats were vacant, but they are now all occupied.

Cllr Sam Hoy, Fenland District Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “These flats have become an example of the involved work we do to both drive up the level of quality housing in the district and ensure much-needed homes do not stand empty and deteriorating.

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“We work closely with legitimate, good-intentioned landlords and property owners, and with residents, to help ensure properties are available, and to defend the right of everyone to live with security and dignity. Tenants sometimes don’t realise they have the right to complain or are too afraid to for fear of eviction or their rent going up, but they have lots of rights and protections.

“We urge anyone who isn’t being treated fairly, is living in substandard conditions or feels they may have to leave where they’re living and doesn’t know if they’ll have anywhere to go, to turn to us. The earlier support is sought, the more likely the prevention of an emergency housing situation is.”

In 2025/26, the council also drove action to bring 67 empty homes back into use. It encourages reports of empty homes from the community. In some cases, this leads to discoveries of incorrect Council Tax declarations relating to the home, meaning the public purse is suffering and other taxpayers are picking up the bill.

The council offers support and information to landlords to help them deliver a good service and stay updated with legislation, including the new Renters’ Rights Act.