Tackling Damp Mould & Condensation Feature


Tackling Damp Mould & Condensation 31


Defying damp: Solving social housing’s mould problem


From October 2025, social landlords must rapidly address serious damp and mould risks. Luke Brooks of Tarmac shows how lime plaster systems are eff ective as a ‘people-fi rst’ alternative.


S


ocial landlords will already be well aware of Section 42 of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, known as Awaab’s Law, which was passed as part of the Government’s mission to transform the safety and quality of


social housing. From October 2025, all social landlords will be forced to investigate and fi x


dangerous damp and mould in set time periods, as well as repair all emergency hazards within 24 hours. Measures to address other dangerous hazards will then be introduced under a step-by-step approach to make the law stronger. Failure to comply could lead to court action, a major shiſt which should


help to drive a better approach to achieving quality in social housing in all sites across the UK.


HIGHLIGHTING THE PROBLEM Social landlords already have a duty to keep their homes fi t for human habitation and to remedy disrepair, including making sure that homes meet the Decent Homes Standard, but damp and mould unfortunately remains a common issue in the sector. Awaab’s Law honours two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died


following prolonged exposure to damp and mould, but it “will set clearer and stronger laws to ensure that tenants are living in safe homes”, according to the Government. Findings published by the Government in 2023 following Awaab Ishak’s death show that around 3-4% of the four million social housing homes in


Housing Management & Maintenance June/July 2025


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