Letter from the Secretary
of State to social landlords on damp and mould
guidance
Details
As part of the government’s response to the Coroner’s report into
the tragic and avoidable death of Awaab Ishak, we committed to
publishing consolidated guidance on the health outcomes of damp
and mould in the home.
This guidance has now been published. “Guidance on understanding
and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home -
For social and private rented landlords and other providers of
residential accommodation”, has been written in response to
the Coroner’s report and recommendation that evidence on the
risks of damp and mould should be made accessible to the housing
sector. This new guidance clearly sets out the legal
responsibilities of social and private sector landlords to their
tenants and the serious health risks that damp and mould pose.
The government is clear that damp and mould should not be
dismissed as a ‘lifestyle choice’ and that action to remove
pervasive damp and mould must be taken by landlords. The guidance
makes clear that it is the responsibility of landlords to
identify the underlying causes of damp and mould - such as
structural issues or inadequate ventilation - and to find long
term solutions.
The guidance also sets out how living in a home with damp and
mould can significantly affect the physical and mental health of
tenants and outlines how people with certain health conditions,
children and older adults are at greater risk of more severe
health impacts.
