Awaab Ishak
The coroner's concerns
1. inadequate risk assessment of damp and mould
“The HHSRS data sheet relating to damp and mould, is used to calculate risks of the incident and the spread of harm is not reflective of the current known risks of damp and mould and harm to health”
2. lack of accessible health information on damp and mould
“There was no evidence that up to date relevant health information pertaining to the risks of damp and mould was easily accessible to the housing sector”
3. policy of delaying disrepair remediation
“The evidence highlighted a”
4. lack of access to Housing Ombudsman for private landlords
“The private landlord sector does not have access to the Housing Ombudsman for their com laints to be investi”
Responses
2022-0365-Response-from-Secretary-of-State-for-Levelling-Up-Housing-and-Communities-and-Department-.pdf ↗· Communities and Local Government
Stated action · Autumn 2021
“We are reviewing the 3.4extent to which the current DHS is the right ask of the social housing sector today; to consider the case for change; and to assess the strategic, economic and management case for different criteria. Part”
Stated action · 2022
“current review of the housing health and safety rating system ("HHSRS") will support a better understanding of the known risks of damp and mould to health.”
Stated action · subject to further discussion
“we will table an amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill relating to hazards in social homes.”
Stated action · within six months of Royal Assent
“I intend to direct the Regulator of Social Housing to implement the approach set out in this new policy statement in its standards.”
2022-0365-Response-from-Secretary-of-State-for-Levelling-Up-Housing-and-Communities-letter-to-All-P.pdf ↗· Department of Health and Social Care
Stated action · imminently
“The Regulator of Social Housing will be writing to you imminently on this and you should respond promptly.”
2022-0365-Response-from-Secretary-of-State-for-Levelling-Up-Housing-and-Communities-letter-to-Legal.pdf ↗· Department of Health and Social Care
Stated action · 1 October 2022
“From 1 October 2022, changes introduced by the Building Safety Act, mean that residents will no longer have to refer their complaint to a designated person, such as an MP, or wait eight weeks before the Ombudsman can consider their complaint.”
2022-0365-Response-from-Secretary-of-State-for-Levelling-Up-Housing-and-Communities-letter-to-Local.pdf ↗· Communities and Local Government
Stated action · end of the month
“I now direct, under section 3(3) of the Act, that all local housing authorities in carrying out their duty to review housing conditions in their area must: - have particular regard to high scoring (bands D and E) category 2 damp and mould hazards, as outlined in the guidance 'Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) enforcement guidance: housing conditions1' - supply the department with an assessment of damp and mould issues affecting privately rented properties in your area, including the”