IMPROVEMENTS have been made to get rid of black mould at properties in Ludlow.

Town councillors have been working alongside housing association, Connexus, to improve the situation after receiving reports from tenants.

Andy Boddington, a councillor for Ludlow North, said that most need better ventilation and anti-nould paint, however others need much more work.

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"Other housing associations seem to be turning a blind eye, even blaming the problem on tenants," said Coun Boddington.

"It is time to stop blaming the problem on tenants and get rid of black mould."

Concern about the health effects of black mould came to a head last November when a coroner ruled the death of two-year-old Awaad Ishak in Rochdale was due to black mould.

"Ludlow councillors started getting urgent reports of black mould after that inquest," said Coun Boddington, writing in a blog post.

"I issued an appeal on social media for more cases to be brought forward.

"All but one of the cases, which was in a private rent where the tenant had moved on, were in social housing. We identified seven cases as a priority and the last of these should be resolved this week.

"These may be only a small proportion of the black mould cases in Ludlow.

"I suspect a lot of people haven’t come forward even though they have problems with black mould. Some are worried they will be blamed by the housing association for the problem. And that’s pretty normal.

"It is time we stopped the blame game and got rid of the danger of black mould before there is more damage to people’s health and black mould becomes a factor in death."

Last week, the Observer ran a feature article on black mould, which led to Coun Boddington writing a letter to the newspaper.

He wrote: "Black mould is a horrific problem. Working with social tenants in my role as a unitory councillor, I have been shocked at how widespread it is.

"The root of the problem is always the same: inadeqaute insulation, failing windows and doors, and a lack of ventilation.

"One housing association we work with has been an exemplar since the inquest into the death of toddler Awaab Ishak in Rochdale last year.

"We have identified priority cases where the mould is severe and the tenants have young children. The tenants have had extractors and window vents fitted.

"Problem walls have been treated with antifungal paint. However, a neighbourhood association reverted to the standard myth: black mould is the fault of the tenants.

"The suggestion is that tenants don't keep their place clean. They create excess moisture by not having extractors on, even by boiling a kettle.

"Social landlords need to stop making excuses for black mould in properties they own. They need to bring them up to standard.

"To end the scandal of tenants' health being damaged. To prvent another tragic death of a young child."