Tackling damp, mould, and condensation in social housing

Managing damp, mould, and condensation effectively is a key responsibility for social housing providers. While the challenges are known, and frameworks to manage damp and mould in properties have evolved, it continues to require significant attention to manage the associated risks. With “” coming into force from , social housing providers will be legally bound to investigate and fix cases of damp and mould within a specified timeframe and repair all emergency hazards within 24 hours. But how well is the sector adapting and working to manage damp, mould, and condensation in tenant homes?

Our latest report reveals critical findings from extensive internal audit reviews conducted across the sector. We’ve undertaken 33 in-depth reviews of damp and mould management, uncovering trends, challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Key findings

• Room for improvement: only 21% of organisations reviewed received substantial assurance, highlighting significant gaps in damp and mould management processes.
• The importance of oversight: 45% of agreed management actions focused on improving policies, data and performance measures, and governance frameworks – areas crucial to meeting regulatory standards.
• Operational efficiency: 39% of actions emphasised timely inspections, repairs, and monitoring to prevent recurring issues.
• Proactive engagement: effective tenant communication and support for vulnerable customers accounted for 16% of recommended improvements, underlining the importance of fostering trust and transparency.

Driving improvement and best practices

As well as identifying the challenges, this report provides actionable solutions and highlights key practices to help social housing providers improve their approach to damp and mould management. The key insights include:

• Strategies for proactive identification of at-risk properties using data and analytics.
• Building robust governance and reporting structures.
• Practical advice for enhancing tenant engagement, especially for vulnerable groups.

Download the full report

If you’re a social housing professional looking to strengthen your organisation’s compliance, improve tenant safety and wellbeing, and ensure long-term sustainability, download the full report below. It provides comprehensive insights and the tools needed to help your team lead the way in creating safer, healthier homes.