Smoke and CO alarms are no longer enough. As housing regulations evolve—especially with the introduction of Awaab’s Law—landlords need smarter, more...
Vericon’s Ecosystem Goes Beyond Smoke & CO for Awaab’s Law Compliance
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Why Social Housing Needs a Transformative Overhaul
Why Social Housing Needs a Transformative Overhaul—and How Data-Driven Solutions Like MouldSense Can Help
Complaints about substandard living conditions in England’s social housing have soared by 474% in just five years (Housing Ombudsman Spotlight Report, 2025). The Housing Ombudsman is now calling for a transformative overhaul, urging the sector to put residents’ wellbeing first and embrace smarter, more proactive ways of working.
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
Behind every number is a real story—a family living with damp, mould, or endless repair delays. In 2023, an estimated 1.5 million children in England lived in a non-decent home, nearly one in five of those in social housing. This is not just a housing problem; it’s a public health and social justice issue (Local Government Lawyer, 2025).
Despite record spending—£9bn on repairs and maintenance last year—the outcomes are not matching the investment. The Ombudsman highlighted £3.4 million paid in compensation for poor living conditions in the past year alone, with 72% of complaints identified as poor practice. The root causes range from patchwork fixes to poor record keeping and a lack of proactive intervention.
Why a Culture Shift and Predictive Maintenance Are Essential
The Ombudsman’s recommendations are clear: we need a cultural shift, not just more box-ticking. Landlords should move from reactive to predictive maintenance, treat residents as individuals rather than “stock”, and strengthen communication and accountability at every level.
This is where technology comes into its own—giving landlords the tools to anticipate problems, intervene promptly, and rebuild trust with residents.
MouldSense: Proactive Damp and Mould Protection
At Vericon Systems, we believe tackling damp and mould requires real-time insight and action. MouldSense is our dedicated solution designed specifically for social landlords. It provides continuous monitoring of key environmental conditions in the home, alerting you to issues before they escalate. This enables rapid, targeted interventions that protect resident health and avoid the cycle of repeat complaints.
With MouldSense, landlords can:
- Proactively identify properties at risk of damp and mould
- Act swiftly to resolve issues before they affect residents’ health
- Demonstrate compliance with new legislation such as Awaab’s Law
- Reduce unnecessary callouts and disruption
- Build a defensible, auditable record for every intervention
To support housing providers, we’ve created a comprehensive guide explaining your legal obligations around damp and mould—and how MouldSense helps you meet them. Download your copy here: Breathe Easy: Your Essential Guide to Awaab’s Law Compliance.
Leading the Change
The Ombudsman’s call for change is about more than fixing leaks—it’s about restoring dignity and safety to every home. MouldSense gives housing providers the evidence, insight, and confidence to move from reactive repairs to proactive, resident-focused management.
Let’s not wait for the next headline. If you’re ready to protect your residents and stay ahead of the law, we’re here to help.
Discover more about MouldSense and download your free guide to compliance today.
Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week Returns
Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week will return for its second year from 20–26 October. For housing providers, this is more than a date in the diary—it’s a call to action. The underlying problems haven’t disappeared. In fact, with over 25,000 complaints about damp and mould made to councils in 2024—a 35% increase on the previous year—expectations have never been higher (UK Meds).
The Stakes: Resident Health and Legal Compliance
Last year’s inaugural Awareness Week united landlords, tenants and housing officials to tackle a problem that costs the NHS more than £2.5 billion annually (Specification Online). But the urgency remains. With Awaab’s Law coming into force, social landlords will be legally required to investigate and rectify dangerous damp and mould within strict timeframes—emergencies must be dealt with inside 24 hours (BBC; Clyde & Co). These rules are about more than just compliance: they’re about protecting lives and restoring trust.
Year Two: Progress, but More to Do
Since last year’s campaign, many landlords have improved reporting processes, invested in better ventilation, and piloted new technology solutions like humidity sensors. But rising complaint numbers show there’s work still to be done. Government guidance is clear: landlords must quickly establish the source of damp, act to resolve it, and keep residents informed throughout (GOV.UK).
What Works: Best Practice for Lasting Change
- Data-driven Monitoring: Utilise IoT sensors and real-time monitoring to identify issues before they escalate. Early intervention is the most effective way to prevent health risks and property damage (Vericon Systems).
- Prompt, Transparent Response: Landlords should respond within 14 days to reports of mould, with clear communication on next steps (No Letting Go).
- Resident Engagement: Educate residents on day-to-day actions like ventilation, while ensuring they feel able to report issues. Collaborative relationships lead to better outcomes (Moore Tibbits).
- Legal Readiness: Stay ahead of compliance deadlines for Awaab’s Law. Ensure your policies, processes, and record-keeping are up to date (Universal Damp).
Vericon’s Commitment: Technology and Expertise to Support You
At Vericon, we’re proud to help landlords on their compliance journey—whether through IoT-connected technology, practical guidance, or supporting organisations like Plus Dane Housing to stay ahead of changing rules (Vericon Systems). Our solutions don’t just collect data—they provide actionable insight, help you evidence compliance, and keep residents safe.
Time to Act: Download Your Free Compliance Guide
Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week is the ideal opportunity to review your processes, renew your commitment to residents, and ensure your organisation is ready for the new legal landscape. To support you on this journey, we’ve created BREATHE EASY: Your Essential Guide to Awaab’s Law Compliance—a comprehensive, practical guide to understanding your obligations and how Vericon’s MouldSense technology can help you meet them.
Download your free copy now and make this year the one where awareness truly leads to action: BREATHE EASY: Your Essential Guide to Awaab’s Law Compliance (PDF)
If you’d like to discuss how Vericon can support your compliance journey or have questions about MouldSense, get in touch—we’re here to help.
Let’s turn awareness into tangible progress. Together, we can make homes healthier for everyone.