Damp and mould guidance launched at UK parliament buildings

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) launched a new damp and mould guidance at an event on 29th April 2025 at the parliament buildings, Stormont, in the UK. We share it here for Australasian housing professionals to draw from, as well as offering an example of a communication campaign done well.

Developed to provide housing professionals and providers with comprehensive and practical guidance on preventing and resolving damp and mould issues in homes, Maintaining healthy homes: A guide to preventing and resolving damp and mould includes real-life case studies, alongside an information flyer and video for tenants.

The guide offers a comprehensive framework, emphasising a holistic approach that considers the interplay between property condition, heating, ventilation and occupant behaviour. It advocates for tenant empowerment and avoiding blame, while promoting collaborative problem-solving between tenants and landlords.

Key principles include using data-driven decision-making to improve damp and mould management strategies, adopting a risk-based approach to assessments, and recognising the importance of early identification and intervention to protect tenants’ health and prevent structural damage.

The development of the guidance was informed by a working group comprising of housing providers and government representatives. Crucially, this was also shaped by the Housing Policy Panel, a consultative group of tenant representatives from the social housing sector, convened by Supporting Communities, ensuring that the tenant voice is central throughout the work.

Patricia McQuillan, Chair of the Housing Policy Panel explained that the group was pleased to contribute to the development of the project as it provides practical steps to prevent and resolve these issues, ultimately creating a better quality of life for tenants.

Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons said, “Supporting initiatives that contribute to better quality housing is a priority, we want to ensure that everyone can live in a warm and healthy home.”

Carol McTaggart, Chair of CIH Northern Ireland said, “This new guidance provides a clear framework for tackling damp and mould and by adopting the principles outlined in this guide, housing providers can create healthier homes that will enable customers and tenants to live well.”

Hazel Bell, Chair of NIFHA said, “The guide, tenant flyer and video represent a collective commitment to addressing damp and mould effectively. By working together – housing providers, tenants, and other stakeholders can ensure that homes are safe, dry, and healthy places to live.”

Other speakers included representatives from Ark Housing. Host, Andy Allen MLA, urged all housing providers to engage with the guide and implement its good practice recommendations to improve the health and well-being of tenants and ensure homes are safe.