East Riding and Hull City Council are to work with letting agents to counter damp and mould in the local private rented housing sector
East Riding of Yorkshire Council, alongside Hull City Council, is among the local authorities selected by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government [MHCLG] to run pilot projects which raise awareness among private tenants and landlords of the dangers of damp and mould and the statutory requirements to resolve them. Working together, both councils have launched a Healthy Homes social media campaign to highlight the risks of leaving damp and mould untreated.
The joint initiative follows a seminar held for letting and managing agents earlier this year, to highlight the steps that private landlords must take, and the essential role that they play in preventing damp in their properties.
21 letting agents have now signed up to the initiative, pledging to signpost landlords and tenants to the council’s and government’s damp and mould guidance, They have also pledged to encourage tenants to report issues in the first instance to the agent, to enable investigations to prevent damp and mould in the properties.
Recent legislation means that landlords are legally mandated to take steps to address damp and mould issues, and failure to do so can result in enforcement action from the local council.
Living in a home with damp and mould can have a serious effect on people’s health, from skin conditions, problems with immune systems and breathing problems if left untreated.
Advice includes encouraging people to keep their properties well ventilated, opening windows or using extractor fans when cooking or showering. Condensation should be wiped down prompted, and clothes should be dried outside if possible.
As part of the campaign, the councils are also advertising the need to act on damp and mould at many of the bus stops in the area.
Councillor Lyn Healing, East Riding of Yorkshire cabinet member for communities and public protection said
“Damp and mould are serious issues, and it is imperative that tenants and landlords take action to avoid adverse health effects. Many thanks to the agents who have signed to the initiative and taken proactive steps to tackle these issues. I encourage anyone concerned about damp and mould to report it to their letting agents or landlord, and visit our help pages for more information.”
Councillor Paul Drake Davis, Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing said:
“Whether you are a landlord or a tenant we want to help you keep your homes healthy. Damp and mould can affect anyone’s home and must be tackled as soon as possible to safeguard people’s health and also to minimise damage to the property. If you’re a tenant, you must tell your landlord about damp and mould problems as soon as you notice them, and the sooner they will be resolved.”
More information on how to counter damp and mould can be found at https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice/condensation-damp-and-mould/
The council say:
"It is also very important to keep your home well heated to avoid problems with damp and condensation. If you are struggling with money, visit our cost of living- help for households page here - https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help-for-households/"
A list of letting agents who have joined the scheme are available on the ERYC website at https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice/condensation-damp-and-mould/
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