Industry News
Ombudsman launches investigation into London council over repeated damp and mould failures
T
he Housing Ombudsman has begun a wider investigation into the London Borough of Islington, citing its poor
handling of damp and mould reports and resulting complaints by tenants. Te wider investigation was initiated
following a review of the landlord’s complaints casework, while the Ombudsman wants to know if they are indicative of wider failures within the landlord. Of the cases determined between 1 April 2021
and 31 March 2022, the Ombudsman made four maladministration findings in the five damp, mould and leaks complaints the service investigated. During 2022 it found further cases of
maladministration or reasonable redress, which is where the landlord identifies its own service failure, in all the damp, mould and leaks complaints determined. Te council previously featured in the Spotlight
damp and mould report, issued by the Ombudsman in October 2021. A tougher line is now being taken
against ‘repeat offenders’, with the Ombudsman having published a highly critical report on failures at Birmingham City Council following an investigation. Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman,
said: “Aſter repeated failures in this area over the past year, I have been alerted to two new damp and mould complaints concerning the landlord that have been assessed as high risk. Under the circumstances, I have instructed my team to expedite these investigations.” “Other cases with us concern similar issues
and may indicate a repeated failing. Tat is why we will be conducting a further investigation using our systemic powers under Paragraph 49 of the Scheme to identify areas for the landlord to learn and improve.” “At the end of the monitoring period, we
will publish a learning report highlighting any issues we have identified in the cases investigated and make recommendations to the landlord where appropriate.”
The council is investing an extra £1m to recruit specialist surveyors and to pay for more insulation and ventilation to tackle damp and mould
A spokesperson for Islington said the council is
now actively reviewing all damp and mould cases from the past three years and contacting residents to make sure the issue was resolved. Te council is investing an extra £1m to recruit
specialist surveyors and to pay for more insulation and ventilation to tackle damp and mould. It is also developing training for non-specialist housing staff to identify damp and mould concerns when visiting homes on other issues, such as carrying out gas compliance checks.
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