Purpose

This report seeks approval of the Housing Management Service’s new policy on damp and mould.

The policy sets out the Council’s process for inspecting and repairing damp and mould in response to Awaab’s Law.
 

Decision

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Housing Management (Cabinet) Sub-Committee:

1. Approves the Damp and Mould Policy shown in Appendix 1 of the report submitted.
2. Delegates to the Director of Housing Property & Asset Management authority to amend the Damp and Mould Policy in accordance with legal precedent or developments, in consultation with the Mayor.
3. To note the equalities considerations as set out at s.4. of the report submitted.

Reasons for the decision

The new policy will keep the council legally compliant with Phase 1 of Awaab’s Law, which is coming into effect on 27 October 2025.

Residents have had the opportunity to shape the development and delivery of the policy in line with the requirements set out within the Regulator of Social Housing Consumer Standards, and approval of these policies is a key deliverable within our Your Voice, Our Action improvement programme.

The Council recognises that having clear policies provides the framework for residents and staff to deliver services, but a key underling principle will be to ensure all updated policies are well publicised, understood by residents and embedded within the services and this is captured within the Compliance service’s service plan for 2025-26. 

Alternative options considered

There are no alternative options. The policy sets out how we will fulfil our legal obligations as required of us by Awaab’s Law.