Tackling damp and mould

We’re committed to tackling damp and mould

You may have seen the recent news surrounding the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who sadly passed away in Rochdale in 2020. This heart-breaking incident was brought back into focus in November, following the coroner’s conclusion that that the toddler died as a direct result of prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s flat, which was owned and managed by a mutual housing society.

We wanted to take this opportunity to reassure you, as a customer of Aspire Housing, that we’re here to help. Your home, and your wellbeing and safety within your home, is our top priority.

We are fully committed to resolving damp and mould issues in our customers’ homes and will take action wherever it’s needed.

What should you do if you have damp or mould?

If you are currently experiencing condensation, damp or mould in your home, and you haven’t already let us know, please get in touch with our Customer Contact Centre and we will arrange for a surveyor to come out and take a look.

Our surveyor will look at where the damp or mould is located and how badly the property is affected, along with any potential causes for damp that could be resolved. They will then report these findings back to us and we will schedule in any necessary repair work or actions to resolve the issue.

Please notify us of damp or mould as early as possible, as this could prevent the issue from spreading or getting worse.

Is there anything you can do to prevent damp or mould?

Damp is caused by excess moisture in your home. This could be from a leak, or an external source, such as a structural problem – but most often it’s simply caused by too much moisture in the air, which forms condensation on colder surfaces like windows and walls.

We all create moisture in our day-to-day lives, and that’s normal. Everyday things like boiling a kettle, showering, cooking on the hob or drying clothes indoors will all contribute towards excess moisture in your home. However, if the moisture builds up and can’t get out, then that could cause damp, which may lead to mould over time.

There are simple, effective ways to control damp in your home. These include:

· Keep your home warm, when possible – Heating your home can help to dry out damp spaces. However, we understand that with rising energy costs you may be worried about putting your heating on. If you’re struggling with increased living costs, please speak to our Money Advice Team.

· Ventilate your home – You can remove moisture from your home by opening windows, using trickle vents on your windows, and turning on the extractor fans when you’re using the bathroom or cooking.

· Wipe down damp surfaces – Wiping condensation off windows and surfaces with a dry cloth can prevent mould from forming.

For more information, tips and advice for dealing with damp and mould, visit the dedicated page on our website: 

How do I get in touch?

You can report damp and mould through in the following ways:

· Send a message or book a repair on My Account – our customer portal

· Live Chat through our website: www.aspirehousing.co.uk

· Email: contact@aspirehousing.co.uk

· Phone: 01782 635200