Council housing service investigated over high number of severe mould and damp cases

Housing Ombudsman will find out whether ‘repeated failures’ indicate systemic problem at the civic centre, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

Homes for Haringey was recently brought back in-house by the council

A series of “high risk” damp and mould cases in homes owned by Haringey Council has sparked an investigation by the housing watchdog.

The Housing Ombudsman has launched a probe to see if “repeated failures” in the council’s handling of damp and mould issues point to wider problems at the authority.

The ombudsman is currently looking into 13 cases flagged as high-risk and involving leaks, damp and mould in properties rented out by the council. Since the beginning of April 2021, it has upheld more than three-quarters of cases where leaks, damp and mould formed part of the investigation.

Housing association L&Q also faces an investigation by the watchdog.

Ombudsman Richard Blakeway said: “After repeated failures in the past year by both of these landlords, we’ve seen a high number of cases concerning the landlords identified as high risk. Under the circumstances, I’ve asked my team to expedite these investigations.

“Other cases with us concern similar issues and may indicate a repeated failing. Conducting a further investigation, using our systemic powers under paragraph 49 of the scheme to identify areas for both landlords to learn and improve, is therefore required.”

Following the probe, the ombudsman will publish a “learning report” making recommendations to the landlords.

Several high-profile incidents around the UK have led to an increased focus on damp and mould problems in homes. In October 2021, the ombudsman urged social landlords to take a “zero tolerance” approach to damp and mould and take responsibility for the problems rather than blaming residents.

Last year, a coroner investigating the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in December 2020 ruled that the toddler died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home in Rochdale, which was rented from housing association Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. The Regulator of Social Housing subsequently found significant failings in the way the association treats damp and mould.

Opposition Liberal Democrats in Haringey have welcomed the investigation and criticised the recent decision to insource the borough’s housing service, which was previously run by council-owned company Homes for Haringey.

Lib Dem housing spokesperson Dawn Barnes said: “Liberal Democrats have been raising these issues with the council for years, and I am glad to see the ombudsman stepping in and shining a light on them.

“Labour spent millions on their ideological project to insource this service, which could have been spent on tackling the real problems council tenants are facing. I hope this announcement will serve as the kick Haringey needs to finally get its house in order.”

Dana Carlin, the council’s cabinet member for housing services, private renters and planning, apologised for failing residents in the cases highlighted by the ombudsman and pledged to make improvements. She welcomed the opportunity to work with the housing watchdog and promised to act on recommendations made in its report.

Cllr Carlin said Homes for Haringey had been brought in-house “in order to improve standards and to bring housing services under direct control”. She added: “We want all our residents to know that we are committed to improving our services and we are working hard to assess all our tenanted homes – our council homes, those in temporary accommodation, and also those in the private rented sector. The safety of our residents is, and always will be, our number one priority.

“We are reviewing all reported cases of condensation, damp, and mould from the past two years and putting in additional interventions to address and resolve any outstanding issues.

“We are also reviewing our complaints handling process to ensure issues are resolved quickly and effectively. We are putting in measures to ensure we listen to our tenants, work with them, and make sure they understand what is happening at every stage of the repair.”

The council recently announced a £100million programme to retrofit its 15,000 homes with energy-efficiency improvements, which Cllr Carlin said would help to eradicate damp and mould.

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