Brent Council adopts five-day repair deadline for damp and mould in 12,000 homes
New policy aligns with Awaab’s Law, setting strict timelines for inspections and repairs in social housing
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Brent Council will now repair damp and mould in its social housing within five working days of an inspection. The policy, approved on 27 July, applies to all 12,000 homes the council manages as a landlord. It follows Awaab’s Law, introduced after the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2022 from respiratory failure linked to black mould in his home.
The council currently has 320 open cases of damp and mould. On average, 34 new reports are added each week. Officials expect this number to increase during colder months. Repairs must be completed within five days of inspection, while emergencies require a response within 24 hours. Full remediation, where necessary, must be finished within 12 weeks.
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Who is responsible and what changes for residents
Cllr Robert Johnson, Brent Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters, said the new standards provide “clear guidance and greater assurance and accountability”. The policy also requires the council to target support at vulnerable residents, including children, older people, pregnant women, disabled residents and those with respiratory conditions.
Cllr Liz Dixon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, said damp and mould are “significant public health issues”. She added that the council will not attribute problems to residents’ lifestyles. The policy includes robust monitoring and reporting to track performance and improve outcomes for tenants and leaseholders.
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It's not about apportioning blame to anyone. It's just making sure that we're taking our responsibility seriously and, where issues and concerns have been highlighted to us, that we're responding in a timely manner.
Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council
Costs and next steps
The council will fund the policy through its Housing Revenue Account, a ring-fenced budget for landlord responsibilities. No additional costs were disclosed. The policy also commits to early intervention and prevention, aiming to address issues before they worsen.
Residents can report damp and mould through the council’s usual channels. The policy does not specify penalties for missed deadlines, but officials said monitoring and reporting will ensure accountability. The council has pledged to listen to concerns and respond swiftly to rebuild trust with tenants.
Questions this report answers
+How quickly will Brent Council fix damp and mould in social housing?
Brent Council must complete repairs within five working days of an inspection. Emergencies require a response within 24 hours. The policy, approved on 27 July, applies to all 12,000 homes the council manages as a landlord.
+How many homes does Brent Council manage for damp and mould repairs?
Brent Council is responsible for roughly 12,000 social homes. The new policy, approved on 27 July, sets strict timelines for inspections and repairs to address damp and mould in these properties.
+What happens if Brent Council misses the repair deadlines?
The policy does not specify penalties for missed deadlines. However, Brent Council has committed to robust monitoring and reporting to ensure accountability and improve outcomes for tenants.
+Who is most affected by damp and mould in Brent’s social housing?
The policy prioritises support for vulnerable residents, including children, older people, pregnant women, disabled residents and those with respiratory conditions. The council has pledged not to blame tenants for damp and mould issues.
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