Reading council formalises pest control and mould policies for social housing
Plans to be approved at committee meeting this month
Reading Borough Council is moving to formalise existing policies addressing pest control, damp, and mould for its managed social housing properties.
As the largest landlord in the town, the council manages around 5,833 homes and aims to document its approaches as a landlord without altering current service delivery or tenant entitlements.
These policies target pressing issues such as rat and mouse infestations, but also cover bed bugs, cockroaches, pharaoh ants, hornets, and wasps, ensuring tenants are informed about potential causes and solutions.
Structural problems, inadequate waste facilities, and design issues are identified as common causes, with guidelines provided for mitigating and addressing these challenges.
Tenants are expected to handle certain pests, like spiders and fruit flies, themselves.
Damp and mould remain persistent issues, and the council has established a triage procedure to prioritise repairs depending on residents' health vulnerabilities.
Young children, people with respiratory conditions, immune deficiencies, and disabilities are highlighted as being at greater risk, prompting prioritised intervention when issues are reported.
These policies are scheduled for approval at Reading Borough Council's Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure Committee on 18th November.