South Holland District Council spends more than £4million on improving council homes but more than 700 cases of damp and mould were reported

Officials have responded to more than 700 cases of damp, mould and condensation in council homes as it is revealed that more than £4million has been spent on improving the authority’s properties.

South Holland District Council’s cabinet was informed that the majority of reports of damp and mould have been resolved but just 44 cases went over the 56-day deadline for repairs to be completed.

Damp and mould in social housing has become a big issue nationally after the introduction of Awaab’s Law - which aims to improve the safety and quality of rented homes. This was inspired by the sad death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale after he suffered a respiratory condition due to prolonged exposure to mould.

The district council is the largest social housing landlord in South Holland as it owns 3,700 properties.

Coun Tracey Carter, strategic and operational housing porfolio holder, told the meeting that since April 1 there had been 49 cases of damp and mould and that those have either been repaired or going through the process.

She also praised the service as she presented the year end performance report of the housing service.

It states: “The management of damp, condensation and mould (DCM) remains a challenge and key priority area.

“The service has responded to over 700 cases, with the majority triaged and resolved within target timescales. Where delays have occurred, these are being actively managed, and additional resources have been deployed to support delivery. Preparations for Awaab’s Law are underway, with a dedicated report scheduled for July 2025.

“Responsive repairs and planned maintenance services have continued to perform well, with 91.3% of routine repairs completed within target and 100% of emergency repairs attended to on time.”

The report also states that 13,329 ‘responsive repairs’ to homes were completed during the 2024/25 financial year.

It also states that the authority invested £4.39million in homes with £7million spent on improving the energy efficiency of homes.

- Homes in South Holland could be getting a share of £5,639,746 to help make their homes energy efficient.

The the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has given the money to the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to distribute as grants to homeowners, South Holland District Council’s cabinet was told.

Coun Liz Sneath also reported that £362,720.15 has also been secured to rollout the Home Energy Advice Service over the next two years.

She told Tuesday’s meeting: “A team of four energy advice officers appointed by the charity will deliver the service.”