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.