A national trade body is calling for more regulation to shield people from the dangers of damp and mould in homes.

The Property Care Association says more needs to be done to ensure that ventilation systems operate effectively in protecting properties and residents from the unsightly and unhealthy problems caused by excess moisture indoors.

Chief executive Sarah Garry says: “There’s a great deal of attention paid to factors such as vehicle emissions on air quality, but we want people to think about their homes too.

“We often hear of people’s lives being blighted by the presence of mould and poor indoor air quality in properties. Such conditions can exacerbate respiratory illness, affect mental health, diminish comfort and increase the cost of heating. Sadly, there can even be fatal consequences.”

Garry says effective ventilation has a vital part to play in controlling the issue, but there are too many cases where installations are carried out by well-meaning contractors who simply do not have any understanding of ventilation, or the various regulations and guidance documents.

She continues: “This is coupled with few building control checks or enforcement action taken to ensure ventilation is installed that is fit for purpose. This has huge repercussions for residents. In 2020, research amongst PCA members revealed that they believed fewer than 30% of installations complied with Building Regulations.

“We hope the catalyst for change will be the new Building Safety Act, which should put greater emphasis on best practice, and require anyone carrying out design, construction and refurbishment work to be competent in their roles.

“However, such is the seriousness of ventilation and indoor air quality that we need to see the issue covered at a national policy level, with an agreed framework and robust reporting structures in place to deliver healthier homes and buildings.”

Garry says only this will give the public confidence that measures are in place to ensure they have the right ventilation system installed, and ultimately significantly reduce the impact of damp and mould.

Measures to combat damp and mould – as part of an energy efficiency package – were announced by Labour earlier this week as part of a pitch for support at the General Election on July 4; meanwhile the National Residential Landlords Association is introducing a new energy efficiency retrofitting course this summer ahead of EPC rule tightening should Labour form the next government. 

The association says its course is open to non-members as well as members. 

The course will offer practical advice for landlords on how to lower fuel bills, and tackle damp and mould as well as offering an in-depth look at systems for insulation, heating, ventilation, and renewables.  

Last year Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that he was abandoning plans to introduce a minimum EPC rating of C in all rental properties by 2028 although there is a high expectation that if the Conservatives win the election – unlikely as that seems in the light of opinion polls – they will return to the subject.