Derry City and Strabane District Council agreed to support legislation targeting damp and mould in social housing and private rentals. The decision came at the March Governance and Strategic Planning Committee meeting.

People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin proposed the council write to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. The letter backs an Assembly motion by Gerry Carroll MLA. That motion calls for laws like Awaab’s law to require landlords to fix damp, mould and disrepair.

Harkin requested action within the current Stormont mandate. He cited NIHE figures of close to 15,000 damp and mould reports over the last year. Those numbers exclude housing associations and private landlords.

Harkin referenced a young family in a Housing Executive-owned Bogside apartment affected by severe mould and damp.

Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson seconded the proposal. He called mould and damp a major concern in the district.

DUP alderman Keith Kerrigan, who serves on the NIHE board, supported the letter. He noted NIHE met Minister Lyons on February 25. Kerrigan said the minister wants to advance the legislation with NIHE support.