Council households stuck in damp and mould backlog as one landlord calls out double standard

Despite Nottingham City Council spending £1.2 million to address damp and mould issues in its properties, council tenants are still facing an average wait time of 76 days for repairs.

A Freedom of Information Request reveals that 666 council homes in the city are currently dealing with damp and mould.

The council has previously come under fire over a damning report that exposed its mishandling of selective licensing fees.

318 council households in Nottingham reported damp and mould issues

A Freedom of Information request reveals that since September 2023, 318 households have reported damp and mould issues to the council.

The Bulwell ward received 38 complaints, Apsley ward had 33, Bestwood ward saw 34, Lenton & Wollaton East ward recorded 30, and Bilborough and St Ann’s ward had 27.

Out of the 666 households still in the backlog awaiting damp and mould repairs, 147 are in the NG8 area, which includes Aspley, Bilborough, and Strelley.

Meanwhile, 136 households in the NG5 area—including Bestwood, Carrington, Sherwood, and Top Valley—are also struggling with these issues.

In the NG6 area, covering North Bestwood Village, Bulwell, and Old Basford, there have been 95 complaints. The NG3 area — which includes Carlton, Sneinton, St Ann’s, and Mapperley—has recorded 86 complaints.

In NG2, encompassing Nottingham city centre, Colwick Park, Sneinton, The Meadows, and West Bridgford, there are 54 complaints.

Council won’t face same consequences as landlord

Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords housing benefit tenants, criticised the council for not tackling damp and mould in its properties.

He told Property118: “The council has more than 600 families dealing with damp and mould in its homes. If this were a private landlord, they’d be heavily fined and punished. I doubt the council will face the same consequences.”

Mr Roberts adds that it is also unfair that private landlords are forced to pay the £890 selective licensing fee, but the council is exempt.

Damp and mould is frustrating

A spokesperson from Nottingham City Council told Nottinghamshire Live: “We appreciate that damp and mould is frustrating and challenging for those who are living with it in their homes.

“We have appointed external contractors and put new procedures in place to handle damp and mould cases, and our goal is to have all outstanding cases resolved by 24 December.”

Property118 has also contacted Nottingham City Council for comment who said that 666 cases equates to 2.7% of council homes in Nottingham.

A spokesperson for Nottingham City Council said: “This percentage is in line with the government’s reported estimate of 3 to 4% of the four million social housing homes in the UK having some damp and mould.

“Last year our cases peaked at 1400, so the current figure is showing a more than 50% reduction.”

Share This Article