A council has vowed to prioritise issues of damp and mould in homes, as it launches a new policy to tackle squalid living conditions.

Responding to people’s concerns with their homes is a high priority for Darlington Council and the authority says it will take prompt action to fix any issues and support tenants in council-owned housing.

The pledge follows the tragic case of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale, who died of a respiratory condition caused by mould in his home in 2022.

The national Regulator of Social Housing wrote to all social housing providers, seeking assurance that they have a clear understanding and strong grip on damp and mould issues in their homes and are addressing risks to tenants’ health.

Housing officials in Darlington say they are committed to providing good quality, safe and energy efficient homes. Officers will undertake regular property inspections and introduce improved ventilation and energy efficiency measures where required.

Data from the Housing Ombudsman – a body dealing with social housing complaints – found there have been eight complaints about housing conditions from tenants of council-owned homes over the last four years.

Four complaints were made in the year 2020-21 but that dropped to just two the following year 2021-22.

The council did not comment on the complaints but pointed to its latest agreement on social housing.

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The council’s new policy states: “We have a legal responsibility to manage repairs and complete any work required to prevent damp, condensation and mould occurring. It is also important that tenants report any issues, so we can work quickly to help resolve the problems.

“We recognise the impact that damp, condensation, and mould can have on our tenants, including distress, inconvenience and concerns about health and wellbeing.

“We will ensure that we take prompt action to remedy issues and support our tenants, offering guidance, advice, and assistance throughout the process to all tenants living in Council properties.”