A shortage of specialist knowledge among landlords could leave thousands of social housing tenants in Scotland exposed to mould an industry expert has warned.
A recent survey found that one in three Scottish tenants lack confidence that their landlord will resolve ongoing problems, raising concerns ahead of the introduction of Awaab’s Law — new rules designed to tackle damp and mould in rented housing.
The legislation, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould, takes effect in England at the end of October, with Scotland expected to follow at a later date.
But George Edwards, Managing Director of the property care firm Timberwise, reckons that many social landlords remain ill-equipped to meet the new requirements.
SLOW OFF THE MARK
He says: “There’s a major skills gap. Social housing providers have been slow to prioritise damp and mould issues, and too often unqualified contractors, selected based on cost, fail to deliver on their promises.
“Temporary fixes, like simply cleaning mould, are common, but they don’t address the root causes. This leads to recurring problems and frustrated tenants.”
Edwards warns that the sector already faces a shortage of qualified surveyors and contractors to carry out remedial work.
He adds: “The challenge is huge. Social housing landlords need to act now to ensure they have the capacity to implement long-term, sustainable solutions.
“If they don’t, we risk seeing continued tenant frustration and a lack of confidence in landlords’ ability to tackle damp and mould.”
LACK OF UNDERSTANDING
Unfortunately, many landlords lack an understanding of the full range of factors that contribute to condensation, which often causes mould.
Edwards says: “Effective solutions require a holistic approach, considering occupancy patterns, heating regimes, and ventilation systems.
“Landlords must be proactive and consider modern, energy-efficient solutions such as positive pressure ventilation units, automatic mechanical ventilation systems, and data logging technology to monitor performance.
“Upgrading the housing stock and insulating properties will also be crucial, and in some cases, a full property overhaul may be necessary to meet the new standards.”
