Social landlords should take a ‘zero-tolerance approach' to damp and mould, the Housing Ombudsman has said in an open letter.

Ombudsman Richard Blakeway last week wrote to social landlords after the tragic – and preventable – death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak as a result of exposure to mould in his Rochdale home.

The latest statistics show there has been an exponential rise in casework involving damp and mould reaching the ombudsman, with 134% more cases for formal investigation and 42% of severe maladministration decisions involving damp and mould.

Speaking to The MJ, Mr Blakeway, whose case volumes remain high, said Awaab's death was ‘characteristic of our casework,' with ‘multiple failures and missed opportunities'.

He called for the sector to change its culture, behaviour and attitudes, and move away from a ‘dismissive attitude' towards cases of damp and mould.

Mr Blakeway continued: ‘I think there is a defensiveness that needs to be overcome.

'I think there is a tendency to characterise a complaint as one-off or isolated or historic when actually it could indicate wider issues.

'Complaints may be an early warning sign.

‘Driving learning through an organisation is hard to do but landlords have responsibilities and they shouldn't wait for permission to do stuff.

'They shouldn't wait to be told what to do.'

Mr Blakeway last year made a series of recommendations, including that landlords should avoid blaming damp and mould issues solely on the lifestyle of residents.

He said councils needed to ‘go further and faster' on his recommendations and stop using ‘patronising' language.

Mr Blakeway, who is getting ready to be given new powers to take action on complaints, added: ‘Routinely, I will see cases where for months the landlord will say it's lifestyle when actually it just needs a repair.'