We caught up with Helen Farrington, Operations Manager at MLA, to discuss why housing conditions have become such an important issue, what challenges are increasingly being identified during inspections and why professional evidence continues to play such an important role when disputes escalate.

Housing conditions have become a major topic in the news recently, particularly around damp, mould and unsafe living environments. Why has this become such an important issue?

There is far greater awareness now around the impact poor housing conditions can have on day-to-day life. Damp, mould and unsafe living environments aren’t simply maintenance issues - in many cases they directly affect health, wellbeing and quality of life, particularly for vulnerable individuals and families.

What are some of the most common issues currently being identified during housing condition inspections?

We regularly see issues such as damp, mould, leaks, poor ventilation and structural defects. What is often concerning is that many of these problems have existed for long periods of time without being properly addressed, which can allow conditions to deteriorate significantly over time.

How important is it that property issues are assessed properly and supported by professional surveying evidence?

It is incredibly important. A survey doesn't just document the condition of a property – it provides the professional evidence needed to identify the cause of the defects, which is often a key factor in determining liability under the Landlord and Tenant Act.

A thorough inspection carried out by an experienced RICS surveyor helps establish not only what defects are present, but also their likely cause and whether they fall within the landlord's repairing obligations. That independent, professional evidence is vital in supporting the claims process and ensuring the issues are accurately evidenced.

Behind every case are individuals and families whose health and quality of life may have been affected by the conditions they're living in. Having robust surveying evidence in place helps ensure those issues are properly understood and can ultimately support a fair outcome for everyone involved.

How can specialist partners help organisations respond more effectively when housing issues arise?

Having access to experienced professionals means issues can be identified quickly, assessed thoroughly and documented properly from the outset. The earlier problems are identified and addressed, the less chance there is of situations escalating further for the people living within those properties.

Do you think we will continue to see tighter regulations and greater accountability placed on landlords moving forward?

Absolutely. The introduction of Awaab's Law marked a significant step forward, introducing stricter timescales for investigating and addressing hazards such as damp and mould, with the legislation set to expand to cover a wider range of housing health and safety issues.

The expectation now is far greater than simply carrying out repairs when complaints arise. Landlords and housing providers are increasingly expected to respond quickly, maintain safe living conditions and ensure tenants are not left living in environments that could impact their health or wellbeing.

As regulations continue to evolve, the need for clear, independent surveying evidence will become even more important in helping establish the condition of a property, identify the cause of defects and support a fair outcome for all parties.

At MLA, we help law firms progress housing conditions claims with confidence through fast, nationwide access to experienced RICS surveyors and CPR-compliant reports. From arranging inspections quickly to delivering clear, robust evidence, our team works as an extension of yours, helping keep cases moving efficiently while maintaining the highest professional standards.

Speak to Julie Usher today at Julie.Usher@mla-ltd.co.uk to discuss how MLA can support your firm, or visit our Housing Disrepair Report Services page.