Landlords face more scrutiny over damp and mould

Updated guidance on reducing mould and damp in rented homes makes it clear the Government wants the private rented sector to up its game.

Landlords, property managers and their letting agents are to face deeper scrutiny over damp and mould in rented properties - with the potential of unlimited fines - following updated guidance from the Government.

Government will be watching

Ministers from three different Government departments have issued the detailed advice which makes it clear that landlords and their agents are to be watched more carefully. The new guidance has finally been issued following the sad case of Awaab Ishak who died from complications caused by damp and mould in his council home brought the issue to Government attention.

Ministers have made it clear that landlords and agents must not blame tenants for damp and mould, with Michael Gove saying “Damp and mould in the home are not the result of ‘lifestyle choices’, and it is the responsibility of landlords to identify and address the underlying causes of the problem, such as structural issues or inadequate ventilation”.

The new guidance illustrates how damp and mould can affect a tenant’s physical and mental health and urges landlords and agents to study the various laws they and their properties must conform to, and how and when to respond to tenants’ complaints.

Renters (Reform) Bill

The guidance also mentions two of the Renters (Reform) Bill’s main measures which will be used to regulate the private rented sector, including the management of mould and damp in properties.

The new Housing Ombudsman will deal with tenant complaints where the landlord hasn’t acted, and the Property Portal, where a landlord’s compliance with the Decent Homes Standards, along with other regulations, will be recorded.

Property Redress Scheme says it is no longer acceptable

Sean Hooker, Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme said “It is no longer acceptable to blame issues on the way tenants live and normal life such as cooking, washing and drying of laundry have to continue.

“Instead, landlords and their agents must be sensitive to the needs of tenants and work with them to understand and change behaviour where appropriate.

“They should also thoroughly investigate the underlying causes behind the problems and follow up to ensure things have improved.

“We at the PRS will be using this guide to hold agents to account and urge the Government to introduce redress for landlord managed properties as soon as possible to proceed a holistic approach across every rented home.”

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