Damp & Mould Requires a New Mindset and can no longer be treated as a reactive repairs issue

With Awaab’s Law sharpening the sector’s focus, housing providers are being challenged to move beyond quick fixes and adopt a more proactive, resident-centred approach.

As our new board member Danny Bird CIHCM explains in our recent article in Housing Executive Magazine, “The biggest change is that the sector has moved from treating damp and mould as an isolated repair issue to recognising it as part of a wider healthy homes agenda.”

Danny also highlights that: “Damp and mould now needs effective end-to-end management, not just a taskforce response.”

For Paul Smith, the timing is critical: “Early market engagement is not a sales commitment; it is a way of understanding capability, innovation and cost before pressure hits.”

Jody agrees: “We were re-procuring responsive repairs, planned maintenance, fire safety and DLO subcontractors at a point when we could build expectations around damp, mould and Awaab’s Law into new arrangements.” He adds: “That gave us the opportunity to shape specifications, mobilisation and supplier conversations from the start, rather than trying to retrofit major changes into existing contracts.”

The message is clear: lasting improvement will come from joined-up teams, stronger processes, better data and earlier collaboration.

Thank you to Danny Bird CIHCM, Jody Adams MCIPS Chartered and Paul Smith for sharing their expertise and helping drive this important conversation across the sector.

Read the full article here: https://housing-executive.co.uk/issue27/index.html#p=93