Damp and mould are undesirable issues that individuals prefer not to confront in their residences. Aside from being unpleasant, they can also pose health risks and contribute to disputes between tenants and landlords. A recent report by the Housing Ombudsman has drawn attention to this matter, providing valuable insights.
The report acknowledges that some landlords are making efforts to address the problem, and governing bodies are closely monitoring their handling of complaints. The primary objective of this report is to offer support for these initiatives while emphasizing areas for enhancement.
Two principal concerns have been identified in cases involving damp and mould. Firstly, there is a tendency to overly rely on residents to report and address the issue rather than landlords proactively preventing it. Secondly, a lack of overall responsibility in ensuring effective resolution of complaints is evident. It is imperative for landlords to demonstrate their commitment to learning from these complaints and undertaking measures to prevent recurrence.
The Ombudsman encourages landlord staff and managers to review the case studies and learnings provided in the report. They should evaluate how they would have responded to the presented cases and whether their organisation may have made similar mistakes. The emphasis lies on learning and enhancing the handling of damp and mould complaints.
The report is categorised into several chapters, each addressing different aspects of the issue, from transitioning towards a proactive approach to assuming responsibility and reframing focus from disrepair claims to resolution. It offers valuable insights for landlords and governing bodies.
For those interested in delving deeper into the report, the full PDF version is available for viewing or download. Furthermore, the report provides updates on how landlords have been re-evaluating their approach to damp and mould, offering additional insights and support to governing bodies as they assess self-assessments against the 26 recommendations included in the report.
Beyond damp and mould, the Ombudsman sheds light on another report addressing the impact of data and information weaknesses on landlord services, as well as the issue of noise complaints and unfair treatment of household noise reports under Anti-Social Behaviour policies.
It is evident that these reports highlight significant issues in the housing sector, and we hope that they will ultimately lead to positive changes in the handling of complaints, ultimately enhancing living conditions for tenants. We trust that landlords and governing bodies will take these recommendations to heart and work towards creating healthier and more comfortable homes for all.