The meeting of Westminster City Council's Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee on 12 March 2025 included discussion about a range of housing related topics, including performance of the repairs service, an update on damp and mould in council properties and discussion around the effectiveness of the Council's Housing Compact with registered providers in addressing damp and mould across the borough.

It is important to note this article is based on the information provided in the meeting's public report pack and does not reflect what may or may not have been discussed or decided during the meeting.

Housing Repairs

The Committee received a report on the Repairs Policy that came into effect in October 2024. The report details how the policy has improved service delivery for tenants and leaseholders and the impact of the Repairs Improvement Plan, approximately 6 months after its implementation.

The report notes:

‘Westminster CC’s repairs and maintenance service meets regulatory requirements. It has demonstrated that it prioritises work appropriately and takes into account tenant vulnerabilities.’

The report sets out the performance of the repairs service including the number of repairs completed in target, works in progress (WIP) and satisfaction rates.

Damp and Mould

The Committee also received a report providing an update on how the Council tackles damp and mould issues within its housing stock.

The report detailed:

• The Council's Damp and Mould Policy, which was introduced in October 2024.
• The work of the Damp and Mould Repairs Team who are responsible for the timely completion of any works required, including mould washes, specialist ventilation, repairs and redecoration.
• The service level agreements in place for damp and mould cases and the proactive identification of damp and mould cases, including through the 'Behind Every Door' initiative.
• The relationship between the Damp and Mould Repairs Team and Housing Management, highlighting the role of Housing Officers in identifying unreported cases of damp and mould.
• The performance of the Damp and Mould Repairs Team, noting the higher volume of cases seen over the winter period and the Council's membership of the Pan-London Damp and Mould Sensor Pilot via the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI).
• The introduction of Awaab’s Law from October 2025 and how the Council is already taking steps to ensure compliance with the new legislation.

Damp and Mould - Registered Providers

A report was presented on the Council’s relationship with registered providers¹ through the Housing Compact². The report scrutinises how those providers are managing issues with damp and mould in their properties.

The report:

• Details the launch of the Westminster Housing Compact in November 2024, which brought together the Council with 11 registered providers in the City of Westminster: A2 Dominion, Dolphin Living, London and Quadrant (L&Q), Notting Hill Genesis, Octavia Housing, Peabody, Sanctuary, Soho Housing Association, Sovereign Network Group, Walterton and Elgin Community Homes (WECH), and Westminster Community Homes (WCH).
• Notes damp and mould has been identified as one of the Housing Compact's top priorities.
• Sets out the reactive and proactive measures in place to address damp and mould in registered provider housing stock.
  
• Highlights the various ways in which registered providers are supporting residents to prevent and deal with damp and mould, including providing guidance and support.
• Includes information about the Council's enforcement activity regarding damp and mould in the Private Rented Sector.
• Discusses the introduction of Awaab’s Law and how this may affect registered providers.
  

Work Programme

The Committee reviewed and proposed topics for inclusion on its work programme for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year and the next municipal year, 2025/26. The meeting was the last scheduled meeting for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The report pack also included the minutes from the previous meeting, held on 5 December 2024, which contained information requests and recommendations made to the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Councillor Liza Begum, and officers. The minutes from the meeting show the Committee made recommendations on:

• The Housing Allocations Scheme
• The Compensation Policy
• The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy
• The way in which the Council responded to a Housing Ombudsman finding of severe maladministration.
• Regeneration Schemes

The Work Programme report also contained a tracker document, detailing the responses that had been received to those information requests and recommendations.