Tackling Damp and Mould in Social Housing: The Role of Remote Video Inspection Tools
In February 2023, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) published a report on damp and mould in social housing, highlighting the need for social landlords to take a proactive approach to identifying and addressing these issues. The report found that while most social landlords are managing damp and mould effectively, there are still a significant number of tenants who are living in homes with these problems.
Damp and mould can have a serious impact on the health and well-being of tenants, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, and mental health issues. It can also lead to damage to properties and increase the risk of fire.
Social landlords have a responsibility to ensure that their homes are safe and habitable, and they are required to take all reasonable steps to prevent and address damp and mould. However, identifying and addressing these issues can be challenging, particularly for social landlords with large portfolios of properties.
This is where remote video inspection tools can play a valuable role. These tools allow social landlords to inspect properties remotely, without the need to send an inspector to the property in person. This can save time and resources, and it can also be more convenient for tenants.
Benefits of Using Remote Video Inspection Tools
There are a number of benefits to using remote video inspection tools for damp and mould assessments. These benefits include:
Increased efficiency: Remote video inspections can be carried out much more quickly than traditional in-person inspections. This can free up social landlords' resources to focus on other important tasks.
Improved accuracy: Remote video inspection tools allow social landlords to see a wider range of the property than they could with a traditional in-person inspection. This can help to identify damp and mould problems that might otherwise be missed.
Reduced inconvenience for tenants: Remote video inspections do not require tenants to be at home, which can be more convenient for them.
Improved safety: Remote video inspections can be carried out in hazardous or difficult-to-access areas of properties, without putting inspectors at risk.
Enhanced record-keeping: Remote video inspections can be recorded and stored for future reference. This can help to track the progress of damp and mould remediation work.
Case Studies
There are a number of examples of social landlords who have successfully used remote video inspection tools to tackle damp and mould. For example, one social landlord used remote video inspections to identify damp and mould problems in a block of flats. The landlord was then able to carry out the necessary repairs to address the problems, which significantly improved the living conditions for the tenants.
Another social landlord used remote video inspections to monitor the progress of damp and mould remediation work. This helped to ensure that the work was carried out to a high standard and that the problems did not reoccur.
Conclusion
Remote video inspection tools offer a number of benefits for social landlords who are trying to tackle damp and mould in their properties. These tools can help to improve efficiency, accuracy, and convenience, and they can also enhance record-keeping and safety. Social landlords who are not yet using remote video inspection tools should consider doing so to help them address this important issue.