New health and safety law
There is a new law that we must follow as your landlord to make sure health and safety concerns are always dealt with quickly. Awaab’s Law has been introduced following the tragic death of young Awaab Ishak in Rochdale in 2020.
Untreated damp and mould was seen as a factor in Awaab’s death, and the new law aims to make sure such a tragedy does not happen again. All social landlords must now fix reported damp, mould and emergency repairs within strict timeframes.
We take your health and safety extremely seriously. No one should live with damp or mould, so we already take a zero tolerance approach to damp and mould in our homes and have done for some time. As soon as you see any signs of damp or mould you must please tell us straight away. During your Annual Tenancy Visit, we will also check your home to see if there is any damp and mould visible and take any necessary action at that time.
As a result of this new law, we will be tightening up the time scales within which we respond to reports of damp and mould, as well as other emergency hazards. We will let you know how quickly we will respond when you get in touch to report a problem. We will also confirm when the hazard has been fixed. If we cannot fix a problem quickly, we will tell you the time it will take and provide you with a report.
You do not need to do anything differently. You should still report all incidents of damp and mould or emergency repairs to us by phone, on 01733 385000. You can continue to report all non-emergency repairs however you prefer to get in touch, including live chat on our website and MyCKH.
Know the signs of damp and mould
Sometimes mould grows in spots you cannot see easily, like behind furniture or inside cupboards, so try to look in areas that may be prone to mould over the winter. There are other signs that might help you notice there may be a problem too. Look out for:
- A musty smell
- Stains on the walls or ceiling
- Water droplets on the walls or surfaces
- A damp feeling in the air
- Excessive condensation on windows and window sills
- A tide mark about 1 metre high on the inside or outside of the property.
Condensation happens in every home and it is perfectly normal, but too much condensation can lead to mould. Using your extractor fan, putting lids on pans when cooking, and wiping your windowsills every morning can help keep condensation under control. You can find more tips for managing condensation on our website.
Repairs which let extra moisture into your home can also increase the risk of mould growing. Please report repairs as soon as you notice them. To report damp and mould or emergency repairs please call us as soon as possible on 01733 385000.