Agenda item

To consider the proposed Condensation, Damp and Mould Policy for Housing (Landlord Services).

The Panel considered the proposed Condensation, Damp and Mould Policy for Housing (Landlord Services).

The Service Manager – Housing Maintenance Programmes and Servicing presented the proposed draft new policy for Housing Landlord Services in relation to condensation, damp and mould.  For the 12 month period from Autumn 2022, the District Council had received 546 reports of damp / mould.  A further 400 had been received in the following 12 month period. 

The draft policy acknowledged the serious impact damp and mould could have on the physical and mental health of people and sought to remedy this by introducing a number of measures.  This included triage / risk assessment, education, reporting systems, staff training for identification and prevention, a database to record and monitor outcomes and use of independent professionals in complex cases.

It was also recognised that certain types of people might be at a greater health risk of damp and mould and officers would consider this on a risk-based approach.  The Panel noted that the Housing Ombudsman had seen a significant increase in number of reported cases.  Awaab’s Law, via the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, will require landlords to comply with new requirements and, if they fail to do so, tenants were able to hold landlords to account by taking legal action through the courts for a breach of contract.   It was further highlighted that the Council’s complaints procedure had been aligned with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code.  An annual budget of £60,000 funded from the HRA would be required to support the policy and approval would be sought through the Council’s annual budget setting process.

A question was asked by a Panel member about the complaints received in relation to condensation and mould and the proportion of these which were as a result of how someone was living in the property and those which were actual property defects.  The Service Manager – Housing Maintenance Programmes and Servicing reported that this information was not readily available but would provide an answer outside of the meeting.  It was acknowledged that housing tenants were able to prevent condensation, damp and mould and one of the main priorities was to educate tenants.  Ventilation and heating was often at the heart of the conversations with residents on damp and mould.

Information had been provided to tenants on damp and mould in the tenant magazine, Hometalk.  It had also been discussed at the Tenant Involvement Group as well as information being available on the District Council’s website.  All tenants who receive any retrofit work would receive advice and Go Vocal was used to send out a link to tenants on this topic.

The Strategic Director for Housing and Communities further highlighted that information had been publicised more widely on this subject on social media, the regular bulletin sent out to local residents as well as information being on the Council’s website.  The Private Sector Housing Team in their work also provide information to both residents and landlords.  Officers engage with tenants who report issues and that engagement continues with tenants, with follow up calls to check on progress to ensure that damp and mould does not return.  It was confirmed that officers would provide support to the tenant for as long as it took to resolve the problem.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Condensation, Damp and Mould Policy be supported for approval by the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness.