Council details plans to tackle damp as law comes into force

TENANTS’ REPORTS OF PROBLEM MOULD IN HOMES SOAR BY 500%

- By JOE LOCKER Local democracy reporter

A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE council has revealed how it plans to better tackle damp and mould across its housing stock after a new law came into force.

The first phase of Awaab's Law came into force on Monday. It will force social landlords to take urgent action to fix dangerous homes or face the full force of the law, the Government says.

Changes in rules come after the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home - which was managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).

Newark and Sherwood District Council says there has been a 500 per cent increase in damp and mould reports in its council homes.

In August the authority announced it would be bumping up spending by almost £250,000 to help tackle the problems - including disrepair cases.

The council has now published its updated policies and procedures, with the law change now having come into force for social landlords.