After the tragic death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak, the Government have released updated guidance, which has simply put more focus on the agent/landlord, to deal with such issues in a proactive manner. The following bullet points summarise briefly the updated position.
- React to Complaints Sensitively and with urgency
- Update tenants of steps and timeframe
- Photograph areas prior to removal
- Identify and tackle underlying causes
- Inspect 6 weeks after remedial works have been done
- Proactive Approach
- Clear process in place
- Understand the condition of the property
- Ability to signpost tenants in need
- Staff and contractors aware of high risk
- Encourage tenants to raise issues
Obviously, the previous normal response of most agents, that it’s *tenant lifestyle*, will no longer suffice for the purposes of the local council. Being more proactive at the beginning of the tenancy, evidencing what assessments have been done to reduce the risk, along with periodic inspections, will all form part of the higher threshold required to show due diligence.
For a more detail read, the guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damp-and-mould-understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-for-rented-housing-providers/understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-of-damp-and-mould-in-the-home–2#key-messages
If you have any queries regarding your rental property, particularly if you have damp and/ or mould in it call us now to discuss how to resolve it.
