We are aware of a third-party IT security incident that has impacted our case management system.

While we investigate this and get our systems back online, you will be unable to submit a new complaint, view an existing complaint, or use our web chat, webform, Learning Hub, or landlord portal.

If you need to raise a new complaint, please email info@housing-ombudsman.org.uk or call us on 0300 111 3000. We’re working to handle enquiries and cases where this is possible, notifying any customers and landlords where this is not possible

We’re working to restore our services as quickly as possible and will share updates when we can.

Thank you for your patience. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Follow up: Spotlight report on damp and mould

This page provides a summary of the report. To read the report in full and view our recommendations, please download the PDF.

Published in February 2023

On this page

Report summary

Many landlords have engaged positively with the Spotlight report on damp and mould, since its publication in 2021. The report has been downloaded over 5,000 times.

Following the inquest into Awaab Ishak, the Ombudsman wrote an open letter to all landlords. It reinforced the recommendations made in the Spotlight report on damp and mould.

We know that many landlords have been revising their approach to damp and mould. This update aims to provide further insights to landlords as they continue their work in this area. It also supports governing bodies when reviewing self-assessments against our 26 recommendations.

What is in the follow up report?

This report focuses on:

  • damp and mould data from our casework in 2021-22
  • summarising the outcome of follow up work with a number of landlords to understand how they are implementing the recommendations, highlighting areas of best practice as well as identifying areas of continued concern
  • important lessons from our recent casework on severe damp and mould failures
  • providing governing bodies with a set of 10 key factors that will influence the success of any action plan to support their scrutiny role

Helpful Links

The full report

This page provides a summary of the report. To read the report in full and view our recommendations, please download the PDF.

Follow up: Spotlight report on damp and mould (PDF)

Spotlight report on damp and mould

Further learning on damp and mould

Damp and mould

Damp and mould is a reoccurring issue that continually arises in our case work.

Residents and landlords can use this page to find out more about this key topic including guidance, spotlight reports, and training options for landlords.

Damp and mould key topic page (opens in a new tab)

Damp and mould training on the Learning Hub

Managing damp and mould complaints well helps keep homes safe and relationships strong.

Our training will help you:

  • spot the causes of damp and mould and follow best practice
  • deal with complaints fairly and fix problems early using clear steps
  • learn from real cases to make your processes better and stop issues coming back
Training available on the Learning Hub (opens in a new tab)