Cllr Judy Hamilton

A report which went before the local authority’s cabinet committee last week highlighted that an audit of all outstanding cases is almost complete and a dedicated team of staff across housing and building services are being provided with training that will help them investigate any issues around dampness, condensation and mould, allowing them to provide a fast and effective response to anyone reporting concerns.

Improved information and advice for tenants have been created to help them understand what can cause issues with dampness, what they can do to prevent and manage it and, when and how council tenants can report it.

Councillors heard how the new approach will provide:

• Information leaflets to all tenants across Fife, also available online at www.fife.gov.uk/dampness
• A single point of contact for tenants through a generic email address to report complaints
• A fast response by a dedicated Housing Team with a 2–3-day inspection target
• Investigate cause of dampness, condensation and mould
• Urgent repairs prioritised by Building Services to a 7-day target
• Appropriate treatment of affected areas by Building Services and in extreme cases, by Cleaning Services
• The installation of Environmental Sensors to assist the council tenants to manage moisture within houses that are significantly affected by condensation and mould
• Continued partnership working with Cosy Kingdom to provide targeted advice and support for tenants in fuel poverty who cannot afford to adequately heat their home

Cllr Judy Hamilton, spokesperson for housing and building services, said: “This report comes in the most serious and tragic circumstances. The findings in Rochdale regrettably identified that the tenant had not felt supported by their landlord.

“I am pleased to say that these measures will offer robust support and ensure that our tenants are supported and at the heart of what we do and we have acted decisively and swiftly to introduce new measures and advice to protect tenants.

“With the cost of energy, the highest in living memory, tenants have struggled to keep themselves and their homes warm during the winter period and are reluctant to adequately heat and ventilate their properties for fear of losing the valuable heat they have generated.

“Dampness and condensation have been areas of concern for the council for some years and there are a range of actions staff are taking to combat the problem.

“As a landlord, ensuring tenants are safe and warm in their homes is a priority for the council and we hope that this advice and fast action will help support them to keep their homes free from mould and damp.”