Damp and Mould Remain a Major Issue for the Housing Sector

The UK Government is currently consulting on the implementation of Awaab’s Law, which was passed in response to the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in December 2020 from a severe respiratory condition due to prolonged exposure to serious damp and mould in his parents’ social rented home.

Awaab’s Law requires landlords to fix reported health hazards within a specified time, from 2024. Whilst this Law imposes stringent conditions on social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, start repair work within seven days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours, the UK Government ruled out a comparable law for private landlords. However, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner MP has committed to extending protection to private renters.

Supporting tenants with damp and mould issues

Agents and landlords in the private rented sector should not just wait for laws to be passed to protect agents. It is widely publicised that agents and property owners are frequently criticised and penalised for mould and damp issues, however, the reality is less straightforward.

The agent, property owner and tenant should work together to keep air moisture in the property under control, avoid possible structural damage, or identify a plumbing or drainage issue.

Agents can help tenants by providing information so they can stay on top of any issues take simple actions to improve airflow wipe away condensation and outline responsibilities for each party.

A property owner is responsible for maintaining the property, including heating and ventilation systems, roofs, walls, and pipework. They must also treat and rectify any dampness in the property to reduce moisture build-up.

Agents turn to property inspection software

To assist agents in managing property inspections to identify issues early, KPR has software that includes a Fitness for Human Habitation (FFHH) manager, with a built-in tracker for the nine elements of FFHH:

• Repair
• Stability
• Freedom from damp
• Internal arrangement
• Natural lighting
• Ventilation
• Water supply
• Drainage and sanitary conveniences
• Facilities for storage, preparation, and cooking of food and the disposal of wastewater

KPR provides agents with branded help sheets with their company logo and colours to offer to their tenants, along with a property self-assessment Midterm and repairs reporting tool for residents to help speed up the repairs process. It allows the tenant to fill out a report and upload photos and videos, using a unique QR code exclusive to their property to send directly to the managing agent. This will then assist the agent in selecting the relevant contractor without having to book appointments to visit the property.

Could Proptech software help with these issues, going forward?

Proptech can not only play a part, but with more agents relying on it to stay FFHH compliant, due to stringent regulations, it is becoming a necessity in today’s rental sector. To ensure the industry has the solutions, KPR is developing a specific interactive Condensation, Damp and Mould tool, to further assist agents and tenants.

Our automation software with reminders ensures that you stay compliant, so you never miss a deadline, and certificate renewals will never be overlooked.

At KPR we understand the demands of the industry and strive to address the issues agents and property owners face. We have our own in-house development team with knowledge on modem technology and methodologies, which keep KPR current, and always focusing on the next level.

If you would like to speak with us about how we can assist you and your business, feel free to speak with our helpful team today!

0208 542 2333

hello@kpr.global