Wates has launched a new dedicated service for social landlords to tackle the damp and mouldy homes epidemic, estimated to impact 160,000 social homes in England.

The new Healthy Homes service will see Wates deliver bespoke programmes of work, using both a direct labour force and specialist supply chain.

This will help social landlords to address repairs before they become legal disputes, reducing legal fees and resulting in happy and safe residents.

Wates said it had already signed six social housing landlords for the new service.

David Morgan, executive managing director of Wates Property Services, said: “Issues of disrepair, and damp and mould are a growing challenge for social landlords, which are compounded by equally pressing priorities of energy efficiency retrofit, routine maintenance and fire safety.

“Treating these with equal importance is vital, but can create budgetary pressures.

“The aim of our Healthy Homes service is to work with customers to address these challenges alongside our complementary services, ensuring that we are improving the lives of residents at every available opportunity while maximising value for money for landlords.”

Wates’ Damp and Mould service will source cost-effective and innovative solutions to improve ventilation.

These will include products and services identified by Wates Sustainable Technology Services through the Wates Innovation Network Portal, which works to identify innovative technologies to improve property efficiency and lifespan.

This will include fitting thermoboards to improve insulation, air bricks that monitor humidity and support ventilation, and air monitoring systems to help improve air quality.

Healthy Homes will sit alongside Wates’ core services for social housing landlords, which includes planned and responsive repairs and maintenance, fire safety and compliance, and their market leading energy efficiency retrofit portfolio.