Our Research Into Damp And Mould In Council Houses

Our Research Into Damp, Mould And Disrepair In Council Houses

Issues of damp, mould and disrepair are in sharp focus across the UK following a report from the Housing Ombudsman released earlier this month which details over 100 severe maladministration cases on damp and mould saying the issue now “dominates half of our casework.”

Richard Blakely of the Housing Ombudsman said: “It is clear that landlords are still struggling with timescales. This is despite policies often setting out a clear sequence of actions and existing obligations requiring reasonable resolution times…

“This is a topic that now dominates half of our casework and one coming into sharp focus given the government’s intention to introduce Awaab’s Law into both the social and private rented sectors.”

Awaab’s Law was first introduced in July 2023 following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale, Greater Manchester in 2020. 

The two-year-old died as a result of exposure to damp and mould conditions and his death prompted a change in the law which requires landlords to fix hazards that pose a danger to tenants’ health with a strict legal time limit.

As it stands, the law only applies to properties in the social housing sector. However, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced in September that the law will be extended to the private sector.

However, with cash-strapped councils fearing imminent bankruptcy, a growing demand for housing and a cost-of-living crisis, it seems hard to fathom how councils can be expected to tackle the issues facing their properties despite new legislation and policy.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in September, Angela Rayner said: “Many Housing Associations, councils and landlords do good by their tenants and I know how hard they’ve had it after 14 years under the Tories. Which is why I will work in partnership with the sector to deliver the change. I will clamp down on damp and mouldy homes by bringing in Awaab’s Law in the social rented sector this autumn and we’ll extend it to the private rented sector too.”

“We will consult and implement a new Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes, to end the scandal of homes being unfit to live in.”

How Legal Expert Can Help You

If you’re looking for help and advice with a housing disrepair issue, Legal Expert can help. Our team of No Win No Fee solicitors are specialists in all types of housing disrepair claims and they can help you too. To access free advice or to chat with us about your legal options, please get in touch with us on the number at the top of this page.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Damp And Mould In Council Houses

Legal Expert submitted Freedom of Information Requests to 183 councils across the UK. 

These included; metropolitan councils and unitary authorities, all London Boroughs and Welsh and Scottish Councils – to gain a true insight into the current social housing landscape. 

We asked: Between 1 October, 2023 and 1 October, 2024, can you provide the number of complaints the council has had regarding damp, mould and disrepair.

We also asked how much the council had paid out in repairs for each of the issues during the same time period.

The figures relate only to social housing stock that is in the councils’ possession, rather than stock which is run by Housing Associations, but gives a vital snapshot of the challenges being faced. 

Statistics On Damp And Mould In Council Houses

Metropolitan Councils

Doncaster Borough Council

Data provided by Ledge Homes – An Arm’s Length Management Organisation managing approximately 20,000 social housing properties on behalf of the City of Doncaster Council.

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould/Disrepair: 14

Amount paid out on repairs between November 2023 and October 2024

Damp/Mould: £1.03m

Disrepair: £102,785*

*Works issued to contractors only, does not represent the total amount

Gateshead Borough Council 

No. of complaints between October 2023 and October 2024

Damp/Mould: 122

Disrepair: 244

Amount spent of repairs

Disrepairs: £209,395.57

Kirklees Borough Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould: 225

Amount spent of repairs

Damp/Mould: £2,359,689

Disrepair: £115,909

Leeds City Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould: 311

Disrepair: 27

Amount spent of repairs

Disrepair: £1,377,587

*This includes additional repairs and improvements, and this is the value within the Disrepair framework.

Manchester City Council

No. of complaints 

Damp: 114

Mould: 110

Disrepair: 8

Amount spent of repairs

Damp: £1,256,991

Mould: £1,256,991

Disrepair: £1m Approx.

Rotherham Borough Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould: 46 (Stage 1 complaints)

Disrepair: 76 (Not formal complaints – these are legal cases)

Amount spent of repairs

Damp: £412,021 (on damp related works during this period)

Mould: £972,436 (on mould related works during this period)

Disrepair: £59,657

South Tyneside Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould:

• 1,038 (Stage 1 Complaints)
• 151 (Stage 2 Complaints)

Stockport Borough Council 

No. of complaints 

Disrepair: 81 (Legal Claims)

Amount spent of repairs

Remedial Repairs: £696,711

Disrepair: £143,000

Wolverhampton City Council 

No. of complaints 

Mould/Damp/Disrepair: 218

Amount spent of repairs

Damp.Mould: £1.2 million

Disrepair: £53,912

Unitary Authorities

Blackpool Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould: 23

Disrepair: 42

Amount spent of repairs

Damp/Mould: £19,478.58

Disrepair: £38,617.97