As the professional body for housing, it's our role to help make a positive difference across the sector. We have a duty to do the right thing - to spot when services aren't meeting the highest standards and enact change when it's needed.
The death of Awaab Ishak has once again highlighted the issue with damp and mould we have in this country.
The loss of a young life linked to poor quality social housing is completely unacceptable. Everyone should be able to live in a safe, decent home and be listened to when they raise a concern. We must make improvements across all areas of the sector to achieve better outcomes for our tenants and communities.
We encourage you to use these resources, review your practices and share any good examples you may have, so that, as a sector, we can work together to improve outcomes for tenants and restore faith in the housing we manage.
Some of these resources are available to all, some just to CIH members, and some we have included can be accessed from other partners in the sector offering useful information.
Damp and mould guide
CIH members can download our exclusive how to tackle damp and mould guide. This isn’t a technical guide to provide advice on how to treat individual instances of damp and mould; each response must be tailored to the individual household and property. Instead, this guide aims to provide an overview of how to deal with damp and mould in a way which is proactive, understanding of residents’ experiences, and most importantly effective in resolving the underlying issue.
How to tackle damp and mould
Webinars
Tackling damp and mould
We hosted an event with the Housing Ombudsman where we took a deep-dive into their extensive investigation into complaints around damp and mould and the recommendations it has for landlords. We looked at how technology can be harnessed to help you identify risk and respond appropriately.
Health starts at home – progress on tackling damp and mould
This event kick started Healthy Homes, Healthy Places week – a campaign to focus on how housing interventions can improve the health and wellbeing of tenants.
We started by looking at the critical issue of tackling damp and mould and the progress being made across the sector.
Combatting Damp and Mould in Ireland and the UK
In this interactive virtual masterclass, we explore different strategies that housing providers in Ireland and the UK are utilising when it comes to eliminating damp and mould.
Tackling Damp and Mould: Professional Responsibilities and Good Practice
This previous event aimed to help members gain essential knowledge and practical tips to implement for identifying, preventing and managing damp and mould.
Using Resident Feedback to Drive Real Service Improvement
Landlords typically gather plenty of resident feedback but don’t always know how to make the best use of it to drive service improvement. We held an online event where we discussed the latest data on the emerging tenant satisfaction measures, key drivers for resident perception, and hints and tips on how to make the most of your feedback.
Housing Management Masterclass: Effective Complaint Handling
In this Housing Management Masterclass, we explore how to use complaints to achieve real improvements in services and customer satisfaction. You’ll hear the latest updates and best practice guidance from the Housing Ombudsman and housing providers who have taken measures to effectively handle complaints and improve tenant satisfaction.
Customer Psychographic Segmentation and Insight
Discover how you can better understand your customers through needs and behaviours by watching this event recording with Grand Union Housing Group.
Guides and reports
Putting safety first: a briefing note on damp and mould for social housing practitioners in Scotland
ALACHO (Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers), the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), and the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) have worked together to provide the social housing sector with improved information on how they can respond to damp and mould. This guide provides an overview for practitioners on dealing with damp and mould in a way which is proactive, understanding of tenants’ experiences, and effective in resolving the underlying issue.
The CIH professional standards
These are the bedrock of our organisation and something every member should be using on a regular basis. To be the change we want to see, we must have an understanding of what’s important, what we stand for and what we’re trying to achieve.
Make sure you're using the professional standards self-assessment tool to think about where you are on your career journey and identify areas of improvement.
Housing Ombudsman spotlight report on damp and mould
This report was originally released in October 2021.
What you need to know about the tenant satisfaction measures - a guide of the key developments
Blogs
Damp and mould guidance for Northern Ireland providers
Developed to provide housing professionals and providers with comprehensive and practical guidance on preventing and resolving damp and mould issues in homes, it also includes real-life case studies, alongside an information flyer and video for tenants.
Making the most of your resident feedback
Stephanie Lacey, data consultancy lead from Housemark discusses driving service improvement through resident feedback.
Stigma and Social Housing in England: their implications for housing sector and the profession
Dr. Mercy Denedo and Dr. Amanze Ejiogu highlight a few of the key issues from their recent consultation report and implications for housing professionals.
Keeping the plates spinning – the reality of modern asset management
Elly Hoult explores how we face the biggest challenges in asset management ensure residents are living in safe, warm, dry, and modern homes.
Proud to be professional, it’s about competence and integrity
LiveWest's Jane Pightling advocates the importance of competence and integrity to create a culture where professionalism thrives.
Effective leadership with the CIH professional standards
Paul Smith, chief executive of Elim Housing Association discuss using professional standards in his organisation and across the sector.
Other resources
Preparing for Awaab’s Law with readiness scorecards
To support the sector, Plentific has developed four practical scorecards, each designed to help you assess your readiness in a critical area of operational risk:
Use these scorecards to identify gaps, strengthen your approach, and get ready for the October deadline. Each one is designed to help you take action where it matters most.
Asset and repairs group
This group brings together senior asset management professionals from across the sector to discuss key areas of policy and practice in the management of existing homes. If you are interested in getting involved, please email the CIH policy team.
Effective governance training
This course offers an in-depth examination of effective governance to equip you with the essential knowledge, skills and behaviour awareness you need.
Damp and mould: understanding and addressing the health risks for rented housing providers
We worked with a number of providers to put together a document on understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould which you can read here.
The work we do every day as housing professionals is essential, and at times, critical. We must do better, and above all, make the right decisions for the tenants, residents and communities we work with.
Unlock exclusive member-only content
By being a member of the UK’s biggest housing professional network, you gain exclusive access to many member benefits. Members get the latest sector-leading knowledge and best practice, free attendance at events and webinars, and have a host of digital resources available at the click of a button.
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