Burnham’s Manchester shows deteriorating rental damp and mould
Summary
Manchester City Council FOI data shows a sustained rise in damp and mould complaints linked to private rented homes, peaking in 2023 and remaining elevated in 2024 and 2025. The article links this trend to wider concerns about housing standards and the risks of delayed remediation, particularly for vulnerable occupants.
Why it matters
Surveyors may encounter these defects during inspections, valuations and condition reporting, and the article highlights the potential for worsening fabric damage and health risks if issues are not addressed promptly. It also reinforces the compliance exposure for landlords and agents where homes may fail fitness standards.
Key points
- Damp and mould complaints in Manchester private rented housing rose from 649 in 2021 to 918 in 2023.
- Complaint levels remained high in 2024 and 2025, at 897 and 759 respectively.
- The article stresses that delays between complaint and remediation can allow mould and structural deterioration to worsen.
- It references the wider policy context following the Awaab Ishak case and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
- Severe mould cases may require specialist remediation rather than standard cleaning.
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