Damp and Mould Policy

9.1  Tenants in privately rented properties will also experience issues with damp and mould. In the first instance, our Private Sector Housing Team would usually encourage the tenants to raise this with their landlord or managing agent to give them the opportunity to investigate and rectify the issue, whilst providing advice and guidance to the tenants on how to alleviate dampness within their homes. This does include landlords who are Housing Associations as well as private sector landlords.

9.2  If the landlord or managing agent fail to act on a report by their tenant, tor the damp and mould issue persists or the matter is serious, the Private Sector Housing team will investigate. This will usually involve both tenant and Landlord/Agent to obtain further information about the property and the suspected causes of the dampness in the first instance.

9.3   In most cases, officer from the team will arrange a HHSRS inspection of the property.  If there is a damp and mould issue, then the team will either ensure that the matter is addressed voluntarily by the landlord or managing agent within a reasonable time or will take enforcement action to ensure this is addressed.  

9.4  The communication campaign mentioned in paragraph 7.2 and 7.3, will include raising awareness of damp and mould issues and how to report them for privately renting tenants as well as council tenants.

9.5  There is also information about damp, mould and condensation on the Council’s website, and   details of how to report concerns about damp and mould to the private sector housing team.