Major council launches mould and damp crackdown in PRS including fines

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Hackney Council has launched a major enforcement drive against private landlords who ignore complaints about serious damp and mould, signalling an unofficial application of ‘Awaab’s Law‘ for landlords.

It has agreed a 25% increase in funding (£400,000) a year for the authority’s private sector enforcement team, focusing on expanding its capacity and ensuring private landlords meet their duty to tackle damp and mould and provide a good, safe home to tenants.

Rogue landlords will face hefty fines and legal action if they don’t comply.

Since 1st December, the council has responded to more than 70 reports of damp and mould in privately rented homes, which each report acted on within five days and enforcement notices were served where the landlords failed to take steps to resolve the issue.

Awaab Ishak

This announcement is the latest step in Hackney’s response to the case of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who died following prolonged exposure to mould in his family home in Rochdale.

It follows new council plans to tackle damp and mould in its own housing stock, including a five-day turnaround to address all reported damp and mould issues and a new next working day repair service to respond to reports of leaks.

The investment is also the latest boost for the council’s #BetterRenting campaign which is working for a better system for the more than 30,000 private renters in Hackney by supporting tenants, challenging government and tackling rogue landlords.

The borough already hands out the third largest fines to landlords in the capital, according to geospatial technology company Kamma, with an average of £11,250.

Read more: the ultimate guide to inspecting your property.

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