RESIDENTS living in newly built homes at the Trem Hyfryd social housing estate on Leckwith Road, Llandough are already experiencing serious problems with damp, mould and plaster beetles in their properties.
The construction project was managed by Hafod, whose website describes the body as a “socially conscious, not-for-profit organisation focused on making lives better by building communities and making connections.”
Damp and mould
Just three months after moving in, residents are reporting damp and mould on internal walls, leaving them needing to use energy-consuming dehumidifiers to control the situation. Residents also say their homes have been infested by small, dark brown plaster beetles, which feed on microscopic mould and mildew.
Damp and mould can cause numerous health problems that primarily affect the airways and lungs, but they can also harm the eyes and skin.
Hafod says that the problems came about when the company contracted to build the homes, Jehu Project Services, went into administration during the construction process, which left much of the lower ground floor exposed to the elements for several winter months during late 2022 and early 2023 until a new contractor could be found to complete the project.
Matter discussed at Scrutiny Committee
Photo: Vale Council.
The matter was discussed during a meeting of the Vale Council’s Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee, where Cllr George Carroll, the Conservative group leader who also represents the Llandough ward said: “There is already serious mould in that complex. There are dehumidifiers everywhere.
“Residents have to have dehumidifiers installed in their flats, and then they’re responsible for paying the electric, and they will have to claim that back retrospectively. This simply isn’t good enough. Frankly, it’s a disgrace that in a new complex like that, this has been allowed to happen.”
Cllr Carroll launched a wider attack on third sector bodies, and demanded that more be done to hold them to account: “I think quite a lot of the time when it comes to social housing, for example, housing associations like to talk the talk, and there’s a lot of virtue-signalling and platitudes coming out of them, but when it comes to the core services that they exist to provide, I often find that they’re found quite lacking,” he said.
Cllr Carroll went on to ask what the Vale Council was doing to hold third sector organisations to account and to ensure that the council was “standing up for our residents and communities, and that when those organisations are found lacking, we do everything within our power to ensure that that is corrected.”
A ‘generic’ answer
Responding to Cllr Carroll’s question, Tom Bowering, the Vale Council’s Director of Corporate Resources said he would not provide a specific answer, only a generic one. He said: “I can ask my colleagues in the housing team to contact you separately, to follow up on that one, but I know the general point in terms of holding the third sector to account, as you describe” and went on to add that there were a “range of different arrangements” in place with third sector bodies.
Cllr Carroll responded to Mr Bowering, saying: “I’m less than impressed with Hafod to be honest with you. You won’t be surprised to hear that, given what I’ve said before, but it’s very disappointing.”
Exterior walls appeared dry
Charlotte Whitney, Head of Customer Strategy and Communications for Hafod said: “While final inspections were conducted by Hafod, the contractor, the local building authority, and the structural warranty provider, the centre of some of the walls remained damp despite the exterior appearing dry. This was something not visible or something we were aware of on completion sign off.
“After moving in, several customers on the lower ground floor noticed the presence of “plaster mites” and detected a smell of mould.
“Upon inspection by our team, the contractor, and an independent surveyor, it was found that parts of the basement wall and internal corridor walls to six apartments hadn’t dried out sufficiently. Water had seeped into the walls during the period between Jehu’s administration and the recommencement of construction.
“To address the issue, the contractor installed dehumidifiers to dry out the basement, corridor walls, and affected areas within apartments, along with a fumigation process to eliminate the mites.
“Our independent surveyor has confirmed that these apartments are safe to occupy, with any mould localised behind certain kitchen units. These have been identified and works undertaken.
“Work on Block 2 is now complete, and both Hafod and the contractor will conduct a reinspection on Monday 28th October. Work on Block 3 is nearing completion, after which our independent surveyor will inspect and approve the remediation.
“We are disappointed our customers have had to experience this with their new homes and are working to resolve this unforeseen issue as quickly as possible.
“Throughout this process, we have kept our customers informed through email, in-person discussions, and phone calls, acting promptly to implement a comprehensive remediation plan in collaboration with the contractor.”
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