Bromley council vote down motion to combat ‘unimaginable mould and damp’ in tenants’ homes

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Flats in a borough have been described as having “unimaginable mould and damp” as well as several cases of “vermin”, as local councillors say the conditions are having a “devastating” impact on residents.

Lib Dem councillor Will Connolly said at a Bromley council meeting on April 24 that damp and mould was a growing problem for social housing in the borough.

The councillor put forward a motion asking the council to provide a record of damp and mould cases in Bromley as well as holding housing providers responsible for tackling the issue.

He said: “I’ve had cases of vermin, unimaginable mould and damp, damage to personal property for a resident, and worrying exposure to children and vulnerable adults in Beckenham and Copers Cope.”

Labour councillor Tony McPartlan said at the meeting that the Labour group had strong feelings towards housing issues in the borough, but was reluctant to put requirements on housing associations.

The councillor put forward an amendment to the motion that asked the council to work closer with housing providers and encourage residents to report their problems.

He said “I hope, with these amendments, we as a council can take these issues forward and proactively try to stop the devastating, and sometimes tragic, impact damp and mould can have on all of our residents.”

Conservative Councillor Yvonne Bear, portfolio holder for housing, said at the meeting that housing authorities and local councils were right to be concerned about the impact of poor housing conditions on residents.

She said the council would soon release a tracker to allow residents to report housing issues and provide council officers with data to note trends in the borough.

She said: “Individual housing associations have also provided guidance for residents.

“For example Clarion, the largest provider of social housing in the borough, have now a dedicated team and webpage which includes a raft of information, including a video offering guidance and support.”

Council leader Colin Smith said at the meeting that damp and mould was an “endemic” problem across the UK, including Bromley.

Despite agreeing with several of the points made, he said that he felt the attitude of the Labour and Lib Dems groups towards housing providers was too combative.

Cllr Smith said: “I think we need to work with them a lot closer to get the results we all want to see, and as you’ve heard, that work now is well underway and I think that’s key.

“Who here hasn’t been frustrated by not being able to get through to the right housing officer? It has been a problem historically.”

At the meeting, Bromley council voted not to pass the original motion or amendment on the conditions of housing in the borough.

Pictured top: Councillor Will Connolly put forward a motion on the issue at a Bromley Council meeting  (Picture: Bromley council)