Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy

12.1 Where a case is deemed to be 'severe' and constitutes a Decent Homes Category 1 failure, the report will be referred to the Housing Management Team to deal with as a matter of urgency. If required, alternative accommodation arrangements may be made. This may be on a day-by-day basis or a temporary move ("decant") to an alternative property. In some cases, it may be necessary to re-house a household on a permanent basis if a medical professional advises that re-housing is the most suitable option. This will be considered in accordance with our Allocations Policy.

12.2 If a case is deemed to be 'moderate', an additional survey will be booked to allow a surveyor to determine the appropriate advice and guidance to tenants and any remedial works required.

12.3 Where cases of damp and mould are deemed as 'slight', information will be sent to tenants to provide advice and guidance on how to manage and deal with any slight damp and mould in their homes.

12.4 A level of additional priority may be offered to our more vulnerable tenants including those who are over the age of 70, have a recognised disability or who have dependent children under the age of 12 months registered with Gateshead Council.

12.5 We are committed to ensuring all our void properties, prior to being let, are free from all forms of dampness, and we will ensure all our homes meet our void property "lettable standard" at the point of being re-let. We will check all walls for dampness as part of the void process and record the readings within NEC Housing System (NEC) and the Document Management System (DMS). If there is any condensation mould, this will be washed off and sterilised with an anti-fungicidal solution. We will also check that our homes' ventilation and heating are in good working order, and we will install loft insulation and cavity wall insulation if this is required and feasible.

12.6 As part of a Mutual exchange, a property inspection is completed at which time, each room should be checked for damp, mould, and condensation. If identified, it will be managed and rectified before the Mutual Exchange completes.

12.7 The Major Works programme is focused on improving the homes we own and manage. This includes improving insulation and heating systems, and this work will target properties where there are high instances of damp and mould.

12.8 Where we receive reports of damp, mould and condensation that remain unresolved after initial preventative advice, we will in the first instance attend the resident's home to wash down the mould, identify and remedy repairs and issue advice. This will be completed as per our timescales set out within our 1. Policy statement.

12.9 We will proactively 'find our silence' by targeting properties where access and interactions have been limited. We will ask employees (and contractors) to raise any concerns of damp, mould and condensation when attending properties. We will proactively engage with residents who have not used the repairs and maintenance service within the past 12 months (with the exception of essential safety checks).

12.10 Where damp, mould and condensation issues are not due to repairs or property condition, tenants will be referred to housing services for additional support.