Social landlords throughout the UK are struggling to deal with complaints about damp and mildew inside acceptable timeframes, elevating fears that many will miss the legislation’s strict 24-hour and 10-day deadlines.
Authorities evaluation estimates 3-4% of social houses have ‘notable’ damp and mildew points, and 1-2% have ‘severe’ issues (DLUHC).
Wesley Blackburn, director at Allerton Damp, mentioned: “These numbers are alarming however sadly not stunning.
“The Ombudsman and FOI knowledge present that many councils and housing associations are failing to reply rapidly sufficient.
“Complaints are delayed, investigations take weeks, and typically nothing is completed till the Ombudsman intervenes.
“Awaab’s Regulation is overdue as a result of households have been dwelling with hazardous mould for a lot too lengthy.”
FOI knowledge from native authorities exhibits huge regional disparities.
Perth & Kinross Council logged nearly 1,500 complaints in two years, triple the 2020 determine; Manchester Metropolis Council had solely 59% of Stage 1 complaints dealt with on time in 2023–24; Westminster Metropolis Council noticed 47% of Stage 1 and 26% of Stage 2 complaints meet deadlines; and Berneslai Properties (Barnsley) acquired 75 formal complaints in a single yr.
Suzanne Gregson, litigation companion within the housing litigation workforce at Anthony Collins, mentioned: “There’s clearly a danger of elevated complaints and litigation if social landlords are unable to fulfill the tight timeframes set throughout the laws.”
