Local authority clamps down on tackling mould issues in properties

Leeds City Council members have introduced new measures to deal with mould and damp problems that are putting tenants health at risk.

A new report, which will be discussed with senior council members at a meeting on 8^th February, outlines how the local authority is responding to a Housing Ombudsman’s national report, published in 2021, urging landlords to take a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to damp and mould in homes.

The report also considers further action on the issue, since the death of Awaab Ishak – a two-year-old that died from prolonged exposure to excessive mould growth in his home in Rochdale – spotlighted the dangerous health risks it can have.

With an aim to prioritising residents safety, Leeds City Council have outlined new measures to combat the damp and mould problem in council properties.

These include:

• Providing refresher training to frontline staff, making sure they are meeting service standards
• Creating a specialised Damp & Mould team that tenants can contact directly with any issues
• Improving the council’s channels for reporting issues
• Introducing a new process that tackles further work need after a job has been attended
• Making sure tenants are equipped with information about prevention

However, despite the local authority trying to help reduce damp and mould problems, at the beginning of this year a freedom of information request to the ombudsman revealed there were 64 complaints made about leaks, damp or mould in houses across the city in the three years leading up to March 2022.

After investigation, Leeds City Council was found to be in the wrong in 12 of the complaints issued, while there was no wrongdoing – or the complaint was withdrawn – in two cases.

The outcome of 50 of the complaints was unknown at the time of request, meaning the ombudsman may still be investigating them. The figures cover social housing provided by the council, but do not include complaints logged against housing associations and other organisations operating in Leeds.

However, the report from Leeds’ local authority displays at the end of December 2022, no homes in the management of Housing Leeds, contained category 1 damp and mould – where the most serious harm outcome is identified.

However, a number of properties have been identified as containing some damp and mould, but work is either now complete or ongoing to ensure the symptom and the root cause is diagnosed and resolved ASAP.

Cllr Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Housing, said: ‘We are absolutely committed to ensuring that residents living in council housing are safe and healthy and ensuring that homes are free from damp and mould is key to this.

‘The report provides assurance to tenants that everything that can be done is being done to tackle these issues and the introduction of a Mould & Damp team now makes it easier for tenants to report issues.’

As well as protecting tenants from damp conditions, the report has also placed a focus on supporting tenants in fuel poverty.

This winter the council is set to distribute £100,000 of free energy vouchers, in partnership with British Gas, to tenants with pre-payment meters, to ensure people can heat their homes effectively.  

The council has claimed heating, ventilation and insulation are key components to the prevention of damp and mould within homes.

Photo by Samuel Ryde and Gary Butterfield