Support for mouldy homes tenants

New housing strategy will protect the vulnerable

Mouldy newly constructed homes across South Devon will come under scrutiny as South Hams Council launches a support service for tenants living in poor conditions.

Members of the council’s executive committee this week heard that homes as little as five years old are giving cause for concern.

Councillors voted unanimously to offer support to tenants in the social and private sectors – prompted in part by the death of toddler Awaab Ishak at the age of two as a direct result of mould in his home in Rochdale.

And Cllr John Birch (Lib Dem, Totnes) revealed: “We have problems with properties which have been constructed in the last five years. A flat, recently built by a major developer who features prominently in the South Hams, was suffering from extensive mould.

“Developers should do their best to construct properties that eliminate this problem rather than encourage it.”

The government is close to passing an ‘Awaab’s Law’ to make social landlords investigate and fix reported hazardous homes within a specified time frame or rehouse tenants where homes can’t be made safe.

The South Hams initiative will help tenants take action when there are unacceptable delays or challenges in getting repairs done.

Cllr Denise O’Callaghan (Lib Dem, Kingsbridge) said: “Our aim is to help tenants who are struggling with mould, damp and disrepair to complain and take action against landlords who are falling down on the job.”

The council will have the power to inspect homes, contact landlords and even prosecute in the worst cases.

“This will be a very good thing for our residents,” said Cllr O’Callaghan. “They know they will be listened to. People without much anyway need all the help they can get, particularly at the moment.”

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson (Green, Dartington and Staverton) described the ‘utter misery’ of some homes she had visited and said: “People feel really vulnerable in these situations.”

She said she had visited residents who have rust holes in their baths, meaning they can’t be used.
“You can’t live like that,” she said. “It’s horrible. Giving something back to people who are really exposed at the moment is a good way forward.”

And council leader Julian Brazil added: “We want to be the champions of those incredibly vulnerable people who are frustrated or frightened, scared or confused.

“We want to lead the way for them and hold their hands so they feel much more confident.”

South Hams has around 3,450 social rented properties, with the council receiving 75 complaints last year on subject incuding mould and damp, and structural issues.

Chief officers from Livewest – the South Hams’ largest registered social housing provider – will be invited to council meetings to be questioned by members.