Now's the time for action over damp, mouldy social housing

Cllr Sally Keeble calls for assurances that local tenants will get the benefit of new law on housing disrepair

Labour Group Leader, Cllr Sally Keeble, has called on West Northants Council to make sure all social housing tenants’ know of their new rights to home repairs under Awaab’s law which comes into force today.

The law, named after a toddler who died after exposure to mould in his parents’ council flat in Rochdale, sets out strict procedures and timescales for social housing providers to take action over hazards in their properties.

The first phase, which comes into force today, covers damp and mould. In the most serious cases, landlords have only 24 hours to take action.

In a letter to the Council’s Chief Executive and Chair of Housing, Cllr Sally Keeble has called on the Council to provide assurances that:

• Information will be provided to social housing tenants across the council area about their new rights and how they can get help.

• The Council’s arms-length housing provider, Northampton Partnership Homes, which manages 11,000 properties in Northampton, is geared up to meet the provisions of the new legislation. NPH has hundreds of properties that do not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

  
  

“This is a landmark piece of legislation to tackle some of the most serious disrepair in social housing,” Cllr Keeble said. “It provides important safeguards for social housing tenants. Many families have complained to me about mould in their homes, and their fears about the impact on their children’s health.

“This new legislation will be a challenge to social housing providers, who face penalties if they do not meet the new targets. It is important that tenants know how to get help, and are also assured that their landlord will be able to respond fully. Northampton Partnership Homes is one of the biggest providers of its type in the country, and it’s important the Council makes sure it can meet the challenges of this legislation.”

If you are a social housing tenant, of a housing association or Northampton Partnership Homes, and your home is affected by mould or damp, contact your landlord and ask for information. Or you can contact your local councillor. Or you can contact Cllr Sally Keeble at sally.keeble@westnorthants.gov.uk

Northampton Partnership Homes, one of the biggest housing providers of its type in the country, is struggling to overcome a legacy of housing disrepair