Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change)

The Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change) presented a report regarding the Government’s announcement that new legislation will be brought forward requiring social landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould in their housing within certain timescales (not yet specified) from October 2025, as well as repair all emergency hazards within 24 hours. This government announcement comes off the back of the tragic death of toddler Awaab Ishak

in a housing association property in Rochdale, where the coroner found that his death was attributed to prolonged exposure to damp and mould. It is a government commitment to bring forward this legislation. It's known as AWAAB's law and it will be implemented through the Renter's Rights Bill. This Act will come through in the coming months and there will be a phased implementation of the Act.

During the discussion the following points were raised:

·         Tenants Panel asked with regards excess cold and heat, whether there will be  temperatures assigned to this.

·         The Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change) responded that the legislation will give guidelines about when these come into place but there’s already an existing housing health & safety rating scheme with lots of guidance around it. Surveyors and Officers are trained in how to apply that HHSRS rating and will follow the guidance in there. The guidance talks about minimum temperatures in terms of excess cold.

·         A Member asked how the tenant’s ability to pay for heating, due to the cost of living, will impact this as they tend to dial down the temperature due to the cost.

·         The Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change) responded that in order to help manage damp and mould and condensation you need a good amount of heating and ventilation as well and the cost of living makes it challenging for some tenants to do that. They are not keen to open a window in winter to help dry clothes. The Council’s role is to give the right advice about maintaining that balance. If tenants are struggling to pay bills for heating they can be signposted to areas of support.

·         The Service Manager (Housing Repairs & Building Safety) added that they are also speaking to contractors about social value and about helping people learn what help they can get for energy and heating bills.

·         A Member commented it would be good to meet with some of the bigger health charities i.e. Macmillan’s to ensure someone suffering illness where their feeling of hot or cold is different from everybody else. These charities may have other ways of pulling in some more finance.

·         A Member asked if there will be a program to add extractor fans in bathrooms and toilets and if there will be a rolling programme so that every bathroom will be updated.

·         The Service Manager (Housing Repairs & Building Safety) confirmed that extractor fans are already being installed in bathrooms and kitchens and one of the first things done when inspecting a damp and mould job is a mould wash and installation of a new extractor fan if it’s not working. This is included in the specifications for all kitchen and bathroom upgrades and any planned works being done. It is also assessed when installing new windows and doors now.

RESOLVED: Unanimous

a)    The Panel noted the contents of the report.

b)    Residents’ Panel to be briefed on this upcoming legislation.