Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants to install ‘mould sensors’ in thousands of rental homes across the capital.
In a pledge ahead of the Mayoral election on Thursday Khan has revealed that 200 devices are already being trialled as part of a pilot project across 18 boroughs - Khan has spent £120,000 on the trial.
The sensors collect temperature and humidity data, and use algorithms to determine the risk of mould. They then automatically alerting council officers to homes which could need attention.
Khan’s team has told the media that private landlords will often fail to respond quickly or proactively to mould issues.
These sensors would empower tenants with “hard data with which to make their case, and a direct link to council officials who can help hold bad landlords to account”.
Khan himself says: “No-one should have to live in a damp or mouldy home. I’m determined to do everything in my power in London to end this national scandal and to use the power of cutting-edge technology.
“If this pilot is successful, I want to roll out thousands of mould sensors all across London, to ensure tenants can hold their landlords to account.”
The issue of damp and mould in rental homes rose to particular national prominence in 2022, following the release of the coroner’s report into the death of toddler Awaab Ishaak, who died after exposure to mould in his housing association home in Rochdale.
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I’m for this. I want humidity sensors in the properties linked to an app. Then I’ve got proof they are creating the problem by not heating, ventilating the property or caused by hanging washing on the radiators. Tenant created mould TCM which is 8/10 why there is mould in a property. This will backfire on the little runt
Social housing first! 🤬
Khan , get on your bike , you know the one you keep in the boot of your gas guzzling range rover , but take out just in case of a photo opportunity
I think Khan will win on May 2nd because of the split vote between the Conservatives (Susan Hall) and Reform (Howard Cox) - otherwise I think he would have been voted out this time.
The postal votes for him have already been flown in! 😡
I’ve had Nigerians growing mould. Three adults and four young children all overpopulating a three bed semi. House is a single wall 1910 house and not well insulated. It’s not unexpected to get a bit of mould sometimes. Most people will deal with it properly, however some tenants are too lazy and ignorant. When I went around with a damp surveyor, we found her mother there drying the washing in the kitchen with all the windows closed all this after she went to a no-win no fee solicitor for compensation and the council. They don’t care. This will be more ammo to make life difficult for landlords. Thank god I had S21. I only chanced her because I did and didn’t have many other people wanting it… she qualified as a financial advisor. I will never believe that for a second. Turns out she’s single mother on benefits with four kids Surprise? No. But I wouldn’t chance it now.
This has has gotten ridiculous. Tax payers, funded mould sensors, not in council properties find private properties. What is the point of the council finding themselves?
People coming from tropical countries don't understand the concept of opening windows, closing them etc and they can't stand the cold weather. I had Indians and I had explained about opening windows etc repeatedly. They turned the radiator off, closed the window and cooked without using the extractor fan either in the kitchen. Yet they could afford to buy a BMW. What would a sensor do to help in this situation.
The aim is to have complete surveillance of landlords in every way possible - we are becoming a horrid country.
They will want us to wear electronic tags soon to ensure we respond to repairs.
Yes. But the tenants won't require tags. They are all anglels.
Bring it on 👍🏻😂 Then will the council bods who turn up tell the tenant to….. OPEN THE WINDOWS 🤔🤔 or PUT THE HEATING ON 🤫……… or a bit of both 👌🏻👌🏻
No, it is your fault. The tenants are like children - 5 year olds. How dare you blame the poor innocent tenants, you money grabbing horrible landlord. You need to put in windows that ventilate by itself, insulate the place, install humidity controlled extractors that retains heat and so on - All because the lovely tenants won't maintain the house.
And then send in mould specialists like I did to remdiate it all and rededorate only for them to do it again.
I have started installing motion sensor extractor fans so tenants can’t turn them off.
Problem with extractor fans that can't be turned off is the cardboard cover that tenants install. Result burned out motor and still black mould.
Envirovent cyclone, reacts with the atmosphere, no input needed from anyone, they wont even know its on, get the boost button so they can activate it in overdrive whenever they want
Haven’t we already got Bathroom fans with time limit over run as standard.
Yes we have but the motion sensor one activates every time someone enters the bathroom. With the standard extractors they need to be turned on by tenants.
My bathroom was on a timer after the light went out. But the electrican in 2021 when fitting a new fan for the kitchen would only do if it could be switched off. Therefore cost me a few hundred to install. Tenant after instisting it be installed always switched it off.
The humidistat ones are the best option but the ones I found in the market are not great. When you supply tenants with isolation switch, they will just turn them off. Margaret, does the motion sensor ones have no isolation switches?
Envirovent cyclone, runs when it's needed by itself, tenants won't even know its working. If it's connected to a new metal fuse box directly I believe they don't need an isolator switch.
Hi Rebecca - I am sure there is an isolator switch but this was in a property I sold a while back. I haven’t had a problem recently with my latest flats but would install provided it met with current safety standards. Hotels have them fitted.
I've got lockable isolation switches on some of mine, and others where the isolation switch also turns the bathroom light off as well
Andrew I have been searching for such switches without success, can you please supply more details.
Well bathrooms tend to be darker places or maybe no window as I have seen in some new places.
So what I meant was the fan is connected to the light and operates when the light is switched on and continues for several minutes after the light is switched off as standard. The Tenant don’t have to and can’t operate it independently how many have done decades ago before they thought of Regulations.
That's what my bathroom has. But the electrician wouldn't fit the same for the new one in the kitchen. Said it wasn't regulation.
Imagine it. We install humidistats, PIV’s window vents all so tenants don’t have to walk across the room and open a window. Lockable Isolation switches whatever next.
The tenant will be seriously concerned now as this will put their future claim for rent rebates under Awaabs law under threat. This is the real aim from the left groups to make renting virtually impossible for us ordinary folk.
They don’t want us earning money using our discipline to be thrifty manage & save. It makes them feel inadequate. They are happy to ruin the tenants lives even for their politics of envy
Next you'll have windows that open automatically when the humidity gets too high.
Reading all these comments it is apparent that many tenants are simply not fit to live in a house!
Yes and unfortunately they are the ones who complain the most.
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