In less than a month, Awaab’s Law comes into force. For social housing providers across the UK, this marks the start of a new legal duty to act...
The Clock is Ticking: Meeting Awaab’s Law Compliance in Time
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Your Awaab’s Law Compliance Journey Starts with Vericon
Executive Summary
Housing providers must implement robust monitoring and response systems to meet Awaab’s Law requirements. Vericon offers a complete solution to achieve and maintain compliance whilst protecting both properties and residents.
The Vericon Systems’ Solution
Our technology provides:
- Real-time monitoring of temperature and humidity
- Ensures regulatory compliance
- Automated compliance documentation including images
- Data-driven insights for preventative maintenance
Awaab’s Law, part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, requires stringent measures to address damp and mould issues in social housing. This legislation demands immediate action to ensure tenant safety and property integrity.
Understanding the Damp and Mould Mandate
Under Awaab’s Law, social housing providers must:
- Investigate damp and mould complaints within 14 days
- Begin necessary repairs within 7 days after assessment
- Respond to emergencies within 24 hours
Failure to act promptly can lead to regulatory penalties and resident health risks.
Vericon Systems: Your Partner in Compliance
Vericon Systems offers cutting-edge solutions tailored to meet the damp and mould compliance needs of Awaab’s Law. Our technology ensures you can efficiently manage and mitigate these issues across your housing portfolio.
Real-Time Monitoring for Damp and Mould
Our IoT-connected sensors continuously monitor humidity and temperature levels, providing early warnings of potential damp and mould conditions. This real-time data allows you to act before minor issues escalate.
Proactive Maintenance with Data-Driven Insights
Our analytics platform processes environmental data to highlight at-risk properties. This enables you to:- Prioritise repairs and maintenance
- Allocate resources efficiently
- Prevent damp-related health hazards
Streamlined Compliance Documentation
Vericon’s system automates record-keeping for all damp and mould investigations and remedial actions, ensuring you meet regulatory requirements effortlessly:- Track investigation timelines and outcomes
- Document repair schedules and completions with images
- Maintain clear communication records with tenants
- Environmental data is recorded and stored to your online portal
Advancing Social Housing Management
As you navigate the regulatory landscape in 2025, Vericon Systems ensures you stay compliant whilst enhancing tenant satisfaction. Our solutions are designed with the social housing sector in mind, offering both compliance and operational efficiencies.Take Action Against Damp and Mould
Choose Vericon for:- Comprehensive damp and mould monitoring
- Instant data avalible after install
- Automated compliance reporting
- Proactive alerts and maintenance planning
- Robust AI data analytics
- Photographic image recording
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Compliance
Our IoT devices transform your approach to damp and mould management from reactive to proactive, ensuring you stay ahead of potential issues whilst maintaining full compliance.
By partnering with Vericon Systems, you gain:
- Peace of mind through continuous environmental monitoring
- Confidence in meeting regulatory requirements
- Protection for both your properties and tenants
- Efficient resource allocation through data-driven insights
Would you like to find out more?
For more information about how Vericon can benefit your housing projects call 01242 582 555 or email [email protected]
Together, we can make a significant impact in combating fuel poverty and ensuring a better future for social housing.
The Real Challenge Social Landlords Face with Damp and Mould Issues
Managing damp and mould is an ongoing challenge for landlords. This problem is often exacerbated by the reliance on unstructured and fragmented data from multiple systems. The lack of integration makes it difficult for landlords to obtain a comprehensive view of the problem, hindering their ability to understand the data and prioritise repairs effectively.
The Data Dilemma
Social landlords typically collect environmental data from various sources to monitor the condition of their properties. However, these data sources are often isolated in different systems, providing only a partial view of the issue at hand. This fragmentation leads to inefficiencies in identifying and addressing damp and mould problems, as it is challenging to pinpoint the most critical areas requiring attention.
Vericon offers a solution to this problem. By integrating environmental data from multiple devices across an entire property portfolio into a single online portal, Vericon provides a unified view of the property conditions.
This comprehensive approach allows social landlords to monitor their properties in real-time, analyse, and act upon environmental data efficiently.
Vericon’s online portal leverages powerful data analytics to help housing providers make sense of the vast amount of information collected by their sensors. The platform identifies patterns, pinpoints problem areas, and generates easy to understand actionable reports. This data-driven approach ensures that housing providers can address issues promptly and effectively.
Powerful Data Analytics
Integrating all damp, mould, and environmental data into a single online portal offers social housing providers a multitude of benefits that streamline property management and enhance the living conditions for residents.
Comprehensive Data Integration
Having all environmental data, including damp and mould information, in one online portal provides a unified view of the property portfolio’s conditions. This integration breaks down data silos and allows for a holistic understanding of various environmental issues across different properties. Additionally, incorporating boiler telemetry into this centralised system can help identify issues such as fuel poverty, which has a direct link to the risk of damp and mould. By monitoring boiler performance and usage patterns, housing providers can detect signs of fuel poverty early and take proactive measures to mitigate its impact, thereby reducing the likelihood of damp and mould development.
Efficient Monitoring and Reporting
Vericon’s online portal leverages powerful data analytics to help housing providers make sense of the vast amount of information collected by their sensors. The platform identifies patterns, pinpoints problem areas that require immediate attention, and generates actionable reports. For instance, it can detect if ventilation fans are being turned off, working ineffectively, or even if they need cleaning. This level of detailed monitoring ensures that housing providers can address issues promptly and effectively, preventing small problems from escalating into larger, more costly repairs.
Streamlined Decision-Making
With all relevant data accessible in one place, decision-makers can more effectively prioritise repairs and maintenance. This ensures that resources are allocated to the most critical areas, improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of property management.
Enhanced Predictive Maintenance
Centralised data enables advanced analytics and predictive maintenance strategies. Using Community Learning and AI, Vericon can identify patterns and trends in environmental conditions meaning housing providers can take proactive measures to prevent issues before they escalate, reducing long-term repair costs. For example, Vericon can highlight ineffective fans or fans that have been turned off. Addressing these issues promptly can cost around £100, whereas waiting for the problem to escalate can result in repair costs running into thousands of pounds. This proactive approach ensures that minor issues are resolved before they become major, costly problems.
Centralised Historical Data
Maintaining a historical record of environmental data in one portal allows for trend analysis over time. This historical perspective is invaluable for identifying recurring issues, assessing the effectiveness of past interventions, and planning future maintenance strategies.
Regulatory Compliance
Having a comprehensive and easily accessible record of environmental data supports compliance with regulatory requirements. Housing providers can demonstrate a proactive approach to maintaining property standards, reducing the risk of penalties associated with poor living conditions.
Enhanced Resource Allocation
With comprehensive data in one portal, housing providers can allocate their repair and maintenance resources more effectively. By focusing on the most severe and problematic areas, they can maximise the impact of their efforts and ensure that resources are used where they are needed most.
Improved Accountability
A centralised portal provides a clear audit trail of actions taken to address environmental issues. This accountability ensures that all stakeholders are aware of the steps being taken to improve property conditions and can track progress over time.
Full embedded processes
When a surveyor or operative visits a property with reported damp and mould issues , by scanning the QR code on the device an audit log is created showing the person along with the date and time of their visit. They also have the ability to attach photographs to the room, again date and time stamped to show the actual condition pre and post any work activities.
Scalability
As the property portfolio grows, the centralised portal can easily scale to accommodate additional data and new properties. This ensures that housing providers can continue to manage environmental conditions effectively, regardless of the size of their portfolio.
Having all damp, mould, environmental, and heating telemetry in one online portal empowers social housing providers with a comprehensive, efficient, and proactive approach to property management. This leads to improved health and safety for residents, optimised resource allocation, regulatory compliance, cost savings, and ultimately, higher resident satisfaction.
Would you like to find out more?
Contact Vericon today to learn more about our damp & mould monitoring products and how they can benefit your portfolio.
Complete the form on this page and we will be in contact, alternatively please get in contact us by calling 01242 582 555.
How Vericon helps identify the root cause of damp and mould
Social housing tenants deserve homes that are safe and of a decent standard. However, the tragic death of toddler Awaab Ishak demonstrates the very serious harm that can come from living with untreated damp and mould.
In December 2022, all large social housing landlords were asked to set out the extent of damp and mould in the homes they manage and how they are tackling this issue.
The report, which was commissioned by the government, found that there are significant problems with the identification and management of damp and mould in social housing. It highlighted a lack of consistent data collection and analysis, as well as weak responses to complaints and poor conditions.
According to the report, there are lessons to be learned about tackling damp and mould effectively. The report sets out the features of better and weaker responses to damp and mould issues. Boards, councillors, and management teams are encouraged to read the report carefully and ask themselves challenging questions about how they could make improvements to what they currently do.
As well as tackling damp and mould issues, it is vitally important that landlords look at how they manage the condition and quality of their tenants’ homes in the round. How landlords ensure the safety of their tenants against the full range of requirements will continue to be a key focus of regulations as new inspections are carried out from April 2024.
It is crucial that landlords deliver an effective response to complaints of damp and mould and wider issues of poor conditions of tenants’ homes. Landlords must ensure that they address issues of damp and mould appropriately and make improvements in how they handle damp and mould cases.
How Vericon Helps
Vericon offers a range of products and services to help housing providers identify the root cause of damp and mould issues.
Sensors and monitoring devices:
These advanced tools detect changes in moisture levels, temperature, and airflow in real-time. By providing detailed data, they help housing providers understand the underlying conditions that lead to damp and mould growth.
Data analysis and reporting:
Vericon provides powerful data analytics to help housing providers make sense of the information collected by their sensors. This includes identifying patterns, pinpointing problem areas, and generating reports for further action.
Consulting and advisory services:
Vericon offers expert guidance to help housing providers interpret their data and develop effective strategies to address damp and mould issues. This includes advice on proactive maintenance, targeted repairs, and regulatory compliance.
Benefits of Working With Vericon
Improved resident health and safety:
By quickly identifying and addressing damp and mould problems, housing providers can create healthier living environments for their residents. This is particularly important for vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and those with existing health conditions.
Enhanced property condition:
Vericon helps maintain the quality and safety of social housing stock. By proactively detecting and addressing damp and mould issues, providers can prevent further deterioration and costly repairs down the line.
Efficient resource allocation:
The data-driven insights from Vericon enable housing providers to allocate their repair and maintenance resources more effectively. By focusing on the most severe and problematic areas, they can maximize the impact of their efforts.
Regulatory compliance:
The use of advanced technology like Vericon demonstrates a proactive and responsible approach to property management. This can help housing providers meet regulatory requirements and avoid penalties associated with poor living conditions.
Improved resident satisfaction:
By providing healthier and better-maintained homes, housing providers can enhance resident satisfaction and loyalty. This can lead to lower turnover rates and reduced costs associated with tenant acquisition and relocation.
The Outcome
Our products and data give social housing providers a powerful tool to proactively identify and address the root causes of damp and mould problems. By leveraging advanced sensors and analytics, providers can create healthier, safer, and more efficiently managed properties. The benefits of this technology extend to residents, who experience improved living conditions and greater satisfaction, as well as to housing providers, who see cost savings, regulatory compliance, and enhanced reputation.
As the tragic case of Awaab Ishak reminds us, the consequences of untreated damp and mould can be devastating. By embracing innovative solutions like Vericon, social housing providers can take proactive steps to prevent such tragedies and provide their residents with the safe and healthy homes they deserve.
Would you like to find out more?
Complete the form on this page and we will be in contact, alternatively please get in contact us by calling 01242 582 555.
How the Government Plans to Ensure Safe Social Housing for Tenants Under Awaab’s Law
Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, has launched new plans to tackle unsafe social housing. These plans aim to protect tenants while fulfilling the government’s commitment to Awaab’s Law. The initiative includes a consultation on strict time limits for social housing providers. These providers must now address dangerous hazards like damp and mould promptly.
During the week of 8th January 2024, Gove addressed the pressing nature of this issue. His message was clear and firm: “Today is about stronger and more robust action against social landlords. They have refused to take their basic responsibilities seriously for far too long.” This strong stance shows the government’s dedication to improving living conditions for residents.
The government is now building on Awaab’s Law with the groundbreaking Social Housing Act. This Act will dramatically improve quality of life for social housing residents. It gives them a powerful voice against those who try to bypass the system. The legislation ensures that negligent landlords will face severe legal consequences.
The new legislation sets clear deadlines. Social landlords must investigate any reported hazards within 14 days. They then have seven days to begin necessary repairs. For emergency situations, they must respond within 24 hours. These quick response requirements are crucial for protecting tenants.
Landlords who miss these deadlines risk legal consequences. Courts may order them to compensate affected tenants. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities emphasises the importance of clear records. This transparency will help prevent delays in resolving housing issues.
The government’s new measures show their grasp of this urgent situation. They demonstrate a firm commitment to landlord accountability. These comprehensive plans put resident wellbeing first. The result will be a safer and more responsive housing system for everyone.
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.
Would you like to find out more?
Complete the form on this page and we will be in contact, alternatively please get in contact us by calling 01242 582 555.
Damp and Mould in Social Housing – Learning the Lessons
Social housing tenants deserve homes that are safe and of a decent standard. However, the tragic death of toddler Awaab Ishak demonstrates the very serious harm that can come from living with untreated damp and mould. In December 2022, all large social housing landlords were asked to set out the extent of damp and mould in the homes they manage and how they are tackling this issue.
In December 2022, all large social housing landlords were asked to set out the extent of damp and mould in the homes they manage and how they are tackling this issue.
According to the report, there are lessons to be learned about tackling damp and mould effectively. The report sets out the features of better and weaker responses to damp and mould issues. Boards, councillors, and management teams are encouraged to read the report carefully and ask themselves challenging questions about how they could make improvements to what they currently do.
As well as tackling damp and mould issues, it is vitally important that landlords look at how they manage the condition and quality of their tenants’ homes in the round. How landlords ensure the safety of their tenants against the full range of requirements will continue to be a key focus of regulations as new inspections are carried out from April 2024.
It is crucial that landlords deliver an effective response to complaints of damp and mould and wider issues of poor conditions of tenants’ homes. Landlords must ensure that they address issues of damp and mould appropriately and make improvements in how they handle damp and mould cases.
Read the full report here