Following two surveys of letting and managing agents, new guidance has been published by The Property Ombudsman to protect the UK’s 12.2 million private renters from damp and mould in their homes.
The surveys of 719 letting agents showed:
• Nearly all had managed properties with damp and mould issues
• 42% of lettings businesses had ongoing issues relating to damp and mould in properties
• 77% of agents surveyed said they were confident that landlords recognise that damp and mould issues can have serious consequences with 72% feeling confident of a quick resolution
• Where damp and mould occurred as a result of construction issues, most agents felt the property should not be let until the problem was resolved.
The Ombudsman’s casework in 2023 showed:
• More than 1,000 damp and mould enquiries received by The Property Ombudsman’s free consumer service
• Over 200 damp and mould specific cases accepted for investigation.
An estimated 1 in 10 households suffer damp and mould which can endanger their health with the Government considering further reforms to enhance renters’ rights.
A set of new guidelines for tenants, agents and landlords by the only approved Ombudsman for the private rented sector is designed to spot the signs of condensation, damp and mould. The guides contain preventative tips and advice on reporting issues. Ventilation by opening windows and using extractor fans are key to helping prevent damp and mould as well as wiping away condensation and using anti-fungal products on mould.
If renters follow this advice and still experience problems, report them to the landlord and/or agent for investigation. If issues can’t be resolved, tenants can contact their council’s private housing team.
Tenants referred more than 1,000 enquiries about damp issues to The Property Ombudsman in 2023 which resulted in 200 cases and more than £36,000 being awarded to tenants.
Rebecca Marsh, The Property Ombudsman, said: “Our research shows what a complex issue this is. Condensation, damp and mould are interlinked and caused by a variety of factors: environmental, structural and behavioural but one thing is clear, we need to work with renters, landlords and agents to prevent it occurring.
“We’ve published some simple guides which we’ve shared with businesses, landlords and tenants to ensure greater awareness of the causes and symptoms, how to report it and the risks in living in damp and mouldy conditions.
“We welcome the government’s plans for further protections for tenants in the private sector as we’ve seen the devastating effects of properties not being adequately repaired or maintained.”
The incoming Awaab’s Law, named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who died after exposure to mould, will give greater protections to social housing tenants by imposing timescales for investigation and resolution on landlords. The new Government has pledged to extend these provisions to the private sector as part of a range of reforms to clarify rights for private tenants.
Other reforms being considered include the ban of no-fault evictions and an enhanced Ombudsman service to consider complaints from private renters about their landlord. Currently, the Property Ombudsman can only receive referrals about agents and property businesses.
