Figures have shown delays by the local authority in addressing dangerous damp and mould conditions within its housing stock.
Between April and July 2026, more than 150 instances classified as significant or emergency hazards were logged with Oxford City Council.
Over a 122-day span, 169 hazards were recorded across the authority’s social housing properties.
From the beginning of April through to the end of July, 154 notifications of substantial damp or mould hazards were received by the council.
Of these cases, 132 were actioned within the legally required 10-day window, leaving 14 percent unaddressed within the mandated period.
During that same interval, 15 reports concerning emergency-level damp or mould were submitted.
Emergency hazards must be assessed within a single day under current legislation.
The council disclosed that four-fifths of emergency cases were examined within this 24-hour requirement.
The authority maintains that its focus remains on delivering dry, warm, and safe accommodation while safeguarding buildings from harm.
Officials insist they address damp and mould reports with urgency, even though one-fifth of emergency hazards fell outside the lawful timeframe.
The legislation stems from the death of Awaab Ishak, who succumbed in 2020 to continuous mould exposure within his social housing accommodation.
Phase one of Awaab’s Law took effect in October the previous year, compelling social landlords across England to remediate damp, mould, and emergency hazards within binding deadlines, with tenants empowered to pursue legal remedies for failures to comply.
This initial stage obliges councils to act promptly when severe hazards are identified or reported.
The subsequent phase, launching at the end of November, will extend requirements to cover temperature extremes, fire risks, electrical safety, and structural dangers.
A representative from The Property Buying Company advised that authorities must address serious damp and mould affecting residents’ health or rendering properties unsuitable, particularly when attributable to underlying defects such as plumbing issues.
Guidance from the housing charity suggests escalating complaints through the landlord initially before referring matters to the Housing Ombudsman if necessary.