RENTERS in Barnsley whose homes are being taken over by mould and damp will have their voices heard by a newly-formed group who have vowed to represent their opinions on the county stage.
Powerful South Yorkshire - which formed last weekend - is being supported by the New Economics Foundation (NEF), a progressive think-tank based in London.
They held their first meeting in the town at the Civic on Monday but have also scheduled one in at Worsbrough for October.
Senior organiser Heather Kennedy told the Chronicle that the group - in the coming years - will focus on other matters but housing is currently its number one priority having had scores of complaints from tenants.
“A lot of people believe they’re no longer a part of the decision-making process and instead it’s men in suits who decide on their behalf,” she added.
“They don’t get listened to and inequality is rife.
“People - whether they’re in a council, private landlord or housing association property - are living in terrible conditions, dealing with damp and mould.
“There’s a real sense among people that there’s huge unaccountability.”
Following a meeting with South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard last Friday, the group’s members have urged him to declare an emergency due to the ‘unhealthy homes’ in the region and use strengthened powers to tackle a crisis living conditions.
They are calling on Mr Coppard to fund enforcement action against the region’s worst landlords and encourage Barnsley Council to use new government-given powers available to them.
The Renters’ Right Act came into force last month and opened up better support to tenants, including new enforcement duties for councils to help them act sooner where landlords breach housing legislation.
“We have seen some awful conditions but following last Friday’s meeting, it’s clear the mayor did not have a clue about the plight of renters and the decisions taken above their heads,” Ms Kennedy added.
“Those in power have passed the buck for too long and we’re keen to force change, for the better.”
In 2023, the Conservative government under Rishi Sunak introduced Awaab’s Law, which required social landlords to investigate and fix severe health and safety hazards within a strict timeframe.
It was named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to black mould in his family’s home.
His parents had complained to their landlord for three years prior to his death, but the landlord took no action to help.
A Berneslai Homes spokesperson said: “All front-line staff and contractors will have the skills and knowledge to identify signs of damp and mould and discuss with tenants how to manage the problem.
“Staff are trained to look out for signs whenever they visit a tenant’s home and clear guidance is given on how to signpost and refer.
“All council homes will receive a physical inspection every 12 months proactively targeting damp and mould.
“When a particularly severe or recurring damp or mould issue is identified we will undertake a comprehensive risk assessment which may result in a range of actions to support the tenant depending on their circumstances.
“These include providing and funding dehumidifiers through our compensation policy, the installation of positive pressure, mechanical or passive ventilation systems, dry lining walls or applying mould resistant coverings, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.”
