North Tyneside Council gears up for expected increase in damp and mould cases this winter
The local authority has ramped up resources to deal with an expected increase in damp and mould cases as the nation tightens its belt
by Austen Shakespeare · ChronicleLiveNorth Tyneside Council officers are gearing up for increased mould and damp complaints amid heightened energy prices and the winter fuel allowance scrap.
Council officers responsible for council housing and repairs were quizzed last night regarding the possibility of increases in incidences of dampness and mould with gas and electricity prices set to rise by around 10% later this year.
New York and Murton Conservative councillor Claire McGinty asked: "Do you think you're likely to see an increase in the issues with dampness and mould in light of the fact that people are seeing energy price increases and especially with elderly people not getting their heating benefit? Do you see yourself probably being a lot busier this year in light of this and do we have provisions to help the vulnerable?"
In response, North Tyneside Council's head of property services David Foster said that while the local authority is expecting a rise in dampness and mould, the local authority is well placed to tackle the issue. Council officers also stressed that dampness and mould are not exclusive to council tenancies.
According to officers, following recent changes in legislation, the council has ramped up training across housing and property staff in order to accurately diagnose incidents of mould and dampness. In addition, the local authority has also brought in new technology that allows tenants calling in with damp or mould worries to be able to share their smartphone screens so cases can be identified and logged quickly.
North Tyneside Council has also revamped its mould, condensation and damp guidance on its website, which breaks down how in some cases residents can tackle mould themselves and the difference between damp and condensation.
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