East Riding of Yorkshire Council, in collaboration with Hull City Council, has renewed a social media campaign to inform landlords and tenants about the risk of leaving damp and mould in homes untreated, and the necessity of taking action.
The councils have linked up with health professionals, to share the campaign via GP surgeries, and at health centres. The Healthy Homes initiative is funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government [MHCLG]. The national scheme is being highlighted to residents on bus stops across the region. Healthy Homes can also provide discounted damp and drone surveys for landlords to help identify property defects.
More than 26 local letting agents have signed up to the campaign, encouraging tenants to report issues in the first instance to the agent. This enables investigations to prevent damp and mould in properties, and signposts landlords to the council and government’s damp and mould guidance.
The councils have also teamed up with Landlord Action and UK Centre for Mould Safety who are providing guidance for landlords to share with their tenants.
The campaign highlights how damp and mould can risk residents’ health and cause skin conditions, immune system issues or breathing problems.
Residents are encouraged to keep their properties well ventilated, opening windows or utilising extractor fans when cooking or showering. Condensation should be wiped down prompted, preferably just with soap and water, and clothes should be dried outside if possible or in a condensing dryer or tumble dryer vented to the outside.
More information on how to counter damp and mould can be found at https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice/condensation-damp-and-mould/
