Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy

Amplius will achieve and maintain effective management systems and will comply with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements as defined in this policy.

In implementing this policy, our objectives will be to:

• Work in partnership with our customers to ensure that their homes provide safe and healthy environments for them to live in.
• Take a zero-tolerance approach to damp and mould. We will take a proactive approach across all areas of our business to ensure that issues of this nature are not seen as acceptable. We will support our customers to ensure that any issues are resolved satisfactorily.
• Ensure that customers have access to and/or are provided with comprehensive support, advice, and guidance on managing and controlling damp and condensation.
• Be supportive and responsive to customer vulnerabilities to ensure all customer needs, regardless of protected characteristics, are considered and addressed and solutions are agreed upon with customers.
• Ensure that our staff receive training to properly diagnose and respond to reports of damp and mould, understand the causes and remedies, and understand the effects that damp and mould can have on the health of our customers, both physically and mentally.
• Always comply with all current legal responsibilities and codes of good practice.

Amplius will work across all departments to manage and seek to eradicate dampness and mould, while ensuring solutions meet the customer's needs by:

• Inspecting all reports of damp and mould to ensure we have fully understood the impact of the issue on the customer.
• Ensuring detailed records are kept when reports of damp and mould are made to reduce repeat visits.
• Assessing risk to determine each customer's specific experience. Risk ratings will be measured, taking into account not just the property but also the customer's circumstances and possible vulnerabilities.
• Amplius will ensure it meets the current regulations (e.g., Housing Health and Safety Rating System, Decent Homes standards etc.)
• We will ensure that surveys to establish the presence of damp and mould are carried out by skilled and well-trained officers that understand our homes and how they are used.
• Where extensive works may be required, we will consider the individual circumstances of the household, including any vulnerabilities, and whether it is appropriate to move resident(s) out of their home at an early stage.

Amplius will seek to reduce the risk of damp and mould experienced in homes by:

• Understanding the property types that are most likely to experience damp and mould and put in place appropriate plans as well as enhanced tenancy management to reduce the risk of occurrence.
• Proactively reviewing all Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy ratings of D and below for our properties to identify those at risk of damp, mould and condensation.
• Using our data to review, prioritise and target those properties at highest risk, as well as identify any damp, mould and condensation.

Amplius will risk assess individual cases aligning with the HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) assessment criteria, classes of harm, likelihood and outcome. The below matrix simplifies the risk categories and assumes that damp and mould is treated as high harm or outcome.

In the event that works are complex and cannot be completed within the appropriate time scales, and the property cannot be made safe, Amplius will decant the customer into suitable alternative accommodation.

Following on from the risk assessment and the severity classification the below timescales will apply.

Amplius seeks to inspect all cases of damp and mould within 7 working days where appropriate works cannot be established.

It is expected that some groups may be more impacted by the effects of damp and mould than others on the basis of increased vulnerability, including older people, babies and children, and those with some disabilities and long-term conditions including respiratory problems, asthma, and compromised immune systems. The policy is expected to positively impact these groups due to the provisions for advice and support that are included and the provision of exceptions due to exceptional circumstances/consideration of vulnerabilities in deciding upon an appropriate course of action.

Tenants with a disability may be unable to resolve damp and mould problems themselves and may need assistance to help with causes This will be mitigated by quick evaluation and resolution of any problems which may occur.

Amplius recognises that, for various reasons, some of our customers and service users may be vulnerable. Policies, therefore, will take account of the recommendations made by the Housing Ombudsman and Regulatory recommendations on vulnerabilities. Amplius will take a proactive approach when making a decision relating to a customer or service user and where practicable, tailor and adapt our services to suit the needs of customers and support vulnerable people.

The most at risk customers are the very young and elderly (HHSRS vulnerable age group under 14 years of age). Further consideration needs to be given where there are vulnerability factors in terms of damp and mould, this relates to known medical vulnerabilities such as asthma, allergies, chronic conditions and learning difficulties, where self-management present added complexities.

* For dwellings where rooms are occupied for both living and sleeping, such as bedsits and small flats in multi-occupied buildings, then the presence of dampness may be more significant as occupants can be expected to spend a greater proportion of time exposed. This can be compounded if the room is also used for cooking. (The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations 2005)

No variations of this policy are required.

No current associated documents.