Is tech the solution to letting agents’ damp management woes?
New smart technology is helping prevent fines and reducing repair costs for the affordable housing sector, but some believe it could help agents cut costs and prevent damp and mould too.
A series of detailed trials shows new smart damp sensors are delivering substantial time and cost savings for property managers, it is claimed.
Early adopters of the tech report up to a 70% reduction in inspection time, maintenance costs slashed by a third, and remediation costs cut dramatically.
The sensors, which track moisture levels and temperature in properties, send out an alert for damp and mould problems before they even appear.
One big landlord in Buckinghamshire has trialled 400 sensors enabling “proactive action against mould and damp in 20% of properties” and says the tech has turned reactive and expensive repair cycles into preventative maintenance that cut annual costs by as much as £120,000.
Similarly, Sovereign Housing Association’s installation of Switchee’s smart damp sensors enabled them to improve energy efficiency and reduce condensation risk “within the first few weeks,” according to Gareth King, its Head of Product Management.
Easy installation
The sensors are relatively quick and cheap to install, and as they usually have their own cellular connections, they don’t need Wi-Fi, with unit costs varying between £150 and 250.
Once installed, they also have the potential to dramatically improve tenant communications, reduce site visits, speed up maintenance scheduling and deliver critical environmental data that can prevent potentially costly damp problems from forming in the first place.
Property managers typically see response rates below 30% from letters and emails. Switchee’s smart thermostat produced a 92% tenant response rate, saving Fairhive Homes £12,000 in a year.
Government figures reveal the scale of the issue in the UK, which show between 4% and 27% of homes (962,000 to 6.5 million households) suffering from damp and mould problems.
£30,000 fines
With Awaab’s Law set to apply to social housing from October 2025 before being extended to private landlords through the Renters’ Rights Bill, the appearance of smart damp sensors offers a timely solution to compliance. Especially with councils able to impose fines of up to £30,000 for the more serious mould infestations.
The legislation will mean damp reports must be investigated within 14 days, repairs begun within 7 days and emergency repairs within 24 hours.
