Beyond Compliance: Building Healthy Homes

In this insightful episode, Jenny chats with Rosie Wills, Technical Support and Repairs Manager at Mid Devon Homes, about moving beyond regulations to create truly healthy living environments. From tackling damp and mould to leveraging data for smarter housing decisions, Rosie shares actionable strategies for housing providers. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Tailored Ventilation Solutions: Go beyond minimum building regs; design systems that meet tenant needs, like higher flow-rate extractor fans. 

• Non-Judgmental Engagement: Shift from "don’t dry laundry indoors" to offering realistic solutions like using bathrooms with fans or dehumidifiers. 

• Empowering Tenants: Use visual tools and demonstrations during home inspections to educate tenants on managing ventilation and heating effectively. 

• Data-Driven Insights: Analyse property data (e.g., construction type, heating) to identify high-risk homes and proactively address issues. 

• Upskilling Teams: Train staff across roles to recognise and address issues consistently, adopting a shared language (e.g., “water as gas and liquid”). 

• Allow Time: Go beyond surface checks; investigate issues holistically, like examining gutters or ducting to find and fix root causes 

• Innovative Projects: Explore environmental monitoring and targeted interventions to improve heating efficiency and reduce mould risks. 

Resources Mentioned: 

• Housing Ombudsman’s ‘Finding it’s Silence’ Report: housing-ombudsman.org.uk 

• Aico HomeLINK: homelink.aico.co.uk 

• WHO Heating Guidelines: who.int 

Rosie reminds us: Healthy homes aren’t just about compliance—they’re about people. Follow Rosie on LinkedIn for more insights!