In addition to its wider stock improvement programme, more than 100 council-owned homes in Elgin are scheduled to receive a range of energy efficient measures that includes internal, external or cavity wall insulation, which will also reduce the risk of damp and mould.

Damp monitoring devices, capturing humidity and temperature data to help identify environments where mould or damp could easily develop, have also been fitted in some homes.

External wall insulation has been carried out on properties in Buckie, Forres, Lossiemouth, and Cullen, under a scheme which also treated homes with internal wall insulation works, condensation prevention products and heat recovery ventilation fans.

There are also plans to make the council’s stock of steel and timber-framed and stone and concrete walled properties more condensation-proof.

When complaints about damp and mould are made, prioritisation is given to vulnerable tenants and works are instructed immediately and aim to be completed within 20 days. If a specialist damp survey is required a specialist report is carried out within 14 days of inspection or sooner if serious.

Moray Council’s housing and community safety committee chair, Councillor Amber Dunbar, thanked the housing service for the update, she said: “The report given to us today shows we take our responsibility for preventing damp and mould in our tenant’s homes extremely seriously. We understand our future investment needs, have identified properties that could have damp and mould issues, and have a targeted work programme in place to reduce this likelihood.

“We use every opportunity to communicate with tenants about preventing and treating damp and mould. We would encourage them to report any concerns to us as soon as they can by phoning 0300 123 4566.”