FI16574
Request
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting the following information relating to damp and mould issues within the council’s own social housing properties. Please provide data for the most recent available 12‑month or financial year period (e.g., 2023/24 or 2024/25), or specify the exact period covered if different.
1. Enquiries, Reports and Complaints
Please provide the names of the estates, housing projects, streets, or specific areas/properties within the Dover district that received the highest volume of enquiries, reports, or formal complaints about damp and mould from residents (or organisations acting on their behalf).
Please list the top 10 locations (or all if fewer than 10) and include the number of enquiries/complaints for each.
2. Contractors
Please provide the names of the companies or contractors engaged by the council to investigate or resolve reported damp and mould issues during this period.
3. Solutions and Treatments
Please provide details of the most commonly used solutions or treatments applied by these companies/contractors to address the root causes of damp and mould (e.g., installation of positive input ventilation, insulation improvements, external wall repairs, etc.).
Where available, please provide a breakdown of the top five most common solutions and approximate numbers for each.
4. Complaints Procedure – Stage 1
How many damp and mould enquiries or complaints were resolved at Stage 1 of the council’s complaints procedure?
5. Housing Ombudsman
How many damp and mould complaints were escalated to, or required involvement from, the Housing Ombudsman?
6. Compensation
How many damp and mould enquiries, complaints, or disrepair claims resulted in compensation payments to tenants?
7. Total Compensation Paid
Please provide the total monetary amount paid out in compensation relating to damp and mould issues during the period.
8. EPC Data
Does the council hold up‑to‑date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data for its entire housing stock?
9. Thermal Performance Assessment
If the answer to question 8 is no (or if EPC data is incomplete or outdated for some properties), please explain how the council assesses the thermal performance or energy efficiency of properties when investigating and addressing damp and mould issues (e.g., alternative survey methods, fabric assessments, diagnostic tools, etc.).
Response
1. 17 complaints and 226 reports (enquiries). The Council does not hold a top 10 list but enquiries/complaints were evenly spready across the District.
2. The Council are under contract with Mears Group.
3. As follows:
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Passive Ventilation
- Halophen Treatment
- Specialist paints
- Thermal insulation upgrades
4. 14
5. Three.
6. Two from complaints. In addition, there were two disrepair claims which included allegations of damp and mould resulted in compensation payments. However, for both claims, the compensation was offset against tenants' rent arrears.
7. Compensation arising from complaints was £1,500. The total paid for compensation for the two disrepair claims mentioned at question 6 is £1350. However, this was offset against tenants' rent arrears.
8. Council holds a large majority of EPC data for the stock in general and working towards reaching 100% EPC.
9. Not applicable.