Issue - meetings

Purpose of the report

To seek approval from Cabinet for the adoption of the updated Damp and Mould Policy, as recommended by the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 20 January 2025.

Decision

1.  Approves the adoption of the updated Damp and Mould Policy

2. Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to make minor alterations and amendments to the Policy post adoption as required by changes to regulations and expectations by the Regulator for Social Housing.

Alternative options considered and rejected

To not update the Repairs and Maintenance Policy. This option was discounted for the reasons given in paragraph 2.1 of the report.

Reasons for the decision

This report was presented to the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 January 2025. This policy replaced the current Damp and Mould Protocol document which formed part of the Council’s previous Repairs and Maintenance Policy. This standalone Damp and Mould Policy was in line with good practice.

Social landlords must adhere to several regulations relating to damp and mould. A lack of compliance could place a landlord at risk of prosecution or financial penalty. It was therefore essential that the Council had a Damp and Mould Policy in place which meets regulatory requirements.