S Poddar
Well-known TV presenter, Stephen Mulhern, known for his jolly character, is in no mood to be portrayed as an irresponsible landlord who let a tenant live in squalid conditions for years.
The tenant, a key worker who was among the many that continued to be on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, spoke to The Big Issue about the harrowing experience they went through. The flat belonged to Mulhern’s company JFDI Productions but was marred by persistent damp and mold-the effect of which began to seriously impact their mental and physical health.
“I’ve become irritable, too, and my concentration has been off, so I make mistakes in my job that get really frustrating,” the renter said. “I used to really like football and exercising, but I don’t care about physical activity anymore.” Accompanying the complaint were disturbing pictures of the mold-covered walls and ceilings.
This is quite stunning, considering Mulhern runs an estimated portfolio worth £4 million. That being the case and having those resources at her disposal, help for the tenant was superficial at best.
I tried to get the agent to raise the issue, so I wrote to him several times. The agent merely told us to ventilate properly and keep the house warm during the winter. We did, but the damp gradually worsened. We remained patient, sending polite emails at first. In later conversations, my remarks became a bit sharper.”
Even with a positive input ventilation system finally installed it remains a poor answer to the problem. The tenant added, “My home is Hungary, and I am now planning to return there. I want compensation for the misery and anxiety it has caused me personally, along with stricter legislation at the national level to prevent others from suffering the same fate.”
Mulhern’s publicist said that the presenter was “utterly mortified” regarding the situation and was entirely unaware of such issues. She assured that he had taken appropriate action upon knowing about the issues.
“Stephen has personally requested a team of damp specialists to come and investigate the property with a view to making sure that the problems of ventilation and mold are addressed with urgency,” the spokesperson added. “We have contacted the tenant with expressions of our sincerest apologies for the distress and frustration caused by the management of this matter.”
While Mulhern’s apology is a step in the right direction, one can only wait to see if enough can be done to rectify the situation. The case brings out the urgency to strengthen regulations and accountability in the rental housing market.
