Labour MP Ruth Cadbury has written to Housing Associations operating across her constituency of Brentford & Isleworth to raise the need for urgent action to tackle mould and damp.
The MP for Brentford & Isleworth says she is increasingly contacted by Housing Association tenants about damp and mould in their homes, a problem that can cause serious and long-lasting health conditions, especially for young children and those with pre-existing health conditions.
In her letter, Ruth asked the social landlords what action they were taking to ensure that complaints from residents were prioritised and to ensure that staff had the training they needed to act on complaints and to ensure residents were kept informed about action being taken.
She said: ‘‘We need to see urgent action being taken to ensure that mould and damp, and their causes are quickly addressed by social landlords.
“I know that too many families locally are still having to live in overcrowded and poor quality accommodation. That’s why I’m continuing to campaign to build more council housing and why I voted for Awaab’s law.’’
This comes after the Government implemented ‘Awaab’s law’; a new law which mandates a strict timeframe for landlords to respond to damp and mould issues .
The law was passed in response to the death of Awaab Ishak, a two year old living in Rochdale, who died as a result of a severe respiratory condition which occurred from mould.
While Housing Associations are being called upon to take steps to help residents like reducing overcrowding, the way in which properties are lived in can also contribute to problems like damp and mould.
David Jackson, director of Jackson Property Services London, says that while sometimes landlords need to take action to improve their properties, homes must also be kept warm and well ventilated to stay mould free, and that can be expensive.
He said: “I understand that with the cost of living rising, people are using their heating less to reduce bills, but unfortunately cold, damp rooms with poor air circulation create perfect conditions for mould to thrive.”
Overcrowding is also a factor as more residents mean more moisture is created in the home.
Jackson said: “Often houses of multiple occupancy are overcrowded, that’s a contributing factor these days.
“I’ve managed some of the same properties for years and mould was never an issue until quite recently.
“That could be because there used to be a couple living there who were out at work most of the day and were just there in the evening. Now you’ve got four students, or a family of five who are at home all day.”
He added: “Instances of it went up quite a lot during COVID when everyone was at home. So the occupancy rates are relevant.”
Jackson also believes the focus on environmentally friendly buildings and in particular, the requirement for EPCs (energy performance certificates), has contributed to the problem.
He said: “You get a better energy efficiency rating if you’ve got a well insulated house with double glazed windows, but when you do that, you’re sealing the property.
“You’re creating a problem in a lot of cases because the property can’t breathe anymore. Where it might have had old, single glazed sash windows that were a bit draughty, now it’s completely sealed.”
In Brentford & Isleworth, Ruth Cadbury continues to put pressure on Housing Associations to do what they can to reduce mould and damp.
She said: “I am looking forward to hearing about the steps the landlords are taking under Awaab’s law and I will continue to work to support residents locally who are facing issues with their housing. I have also spoken to officers at Hounslow Council about this and heard about the work the council are doing to implement and act on Awaab’s law.”
Featured image: Ruth Cadbury MP, Credit Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament
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