Damp and Mould Policy

Definitions and Scope

2.1    This policy is designed to cover reports of damp and mould received by WHBC from residents or someone acting on their behalf, or from stock condition surveys.  It is set within the context of the Repairs and Maintenance Policy. WHBC will provide a range of options to address reports of damp and mould.  These may vary from home to home, depending on the cause, property type, construction method, property age and other factors.

2.2    The term ‘resident’ mainly refers to tenants who rent homes from us.

2.3    Leaseholders and Shared Owners have different obligations with regards to maintaining their homes and should refer to their individual lease for more guidance. The Council has repairing obligations to leaseholders in respect of the external structure of flat blocks and will undertake appropriate investigations when required to ensure that no defect in the structure is the cause of damp or mould.

2.4    This policy therefore outlines how we will:

  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Implement processes designed to:
    • Ensure a suitable and sufficient response to initial reports of damp, mould or condensation
    • Identify the cause of damp occurring in homes where this is our responsibility
    • Take steps to address the damp and mould where required; such as ordering remedial works
    • Keep the resident informed of the remedial works and timescales
    • We will follow up with the resident at 1 and 6 months on conclusion of the damp and mould case to ensure no recurrence
    • Provide advice or other assistance to residents, where there is condensation present in their home
    • Increase awareness for residents through a range of communications and information on how to manage/prevent condensation in their home
  • Ensure staff have adequate training and knowledge on levels of damp, mould and condensation awareness
  • Have relevant and useful performance information reporting to enable us to review damp and mould related repairs and target proactive remedial work and targeted interventions such as information campaigns and website content
  • Ensure that any components we install as part of our repairs and maintenance service are cost effective, sustainable and meet affordability objectives, whilst responding to the requirements for decarbonisation