Elmhurst launch Damp and Mould Assessor Competency Training & Scheme
The introduction of Awaab’s Law marks a significant shift in how the housing sector must approach damp and mould in England and Wales. What was once often treated as a maintenance concern is now firmly recognised as a health risk requiring urgent, structured investigation and clear accountability.
Landlords are now legally required to investigate and resolve damp and mould hazards within defined timescales. This change brings sharper regulatory scrutiny and a heightened need for defensible, evidence-based reporting. However, it also highlights a critical challenge: the UK does not currently have enough competent professionals able to assess damp and mould consistently, proportionately, and at scale.
Elmhurst Energy’s new Damp and Mould Competency Training & Scheme has been developed to address that gap.
Why Damp and Mould Competence can’t wait
Damp, mould and condensation (DMC) are complex issues. They sit at the intersection of building performance, ventilation, retrofit activity, occupancy behaviour and vulnerability. Misdiagnosis can lead to ineffective remedial work, escalating costs, resident dissatisfaction, and most importantly continued health risks.
At the same time, social and private landlords are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that investigations are robust, timely, and professionally undertaken. A structured approach to competence is therefore no longer optional; it is essential.
Why DEAs Are ideally placed to support Damp and Mould assessments
Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) already enter millions of homes each year and possess a strong understanding of building fabric, ventilation and energy efficiency – all critical factors influencing moisture risk. With appropriate upskilling and formal recognition of competence, this existing workforce can play a pivotal role in early identification and structured reporting.
The scheme is designed to formalise that capability, ensuring assessments are carried out using a consistent methodology that supports both regulatory compliance and resident safety.
Raising Standards Through Structured Competence
The purpose of the Damp and Mould Competency Scheme is not simply to add another qualification. It is to create clarity, consistency and professional accountability in how damp and mould assessments are undertaken. By establishing defined standards of knowledge and reporting, the scheme supports:
- Reliable identification of damp and mould risks
- Clear, evidence-based documentation
- Consistent categorisation and escalation
- Greater confidence for landlords when making remedial decisions
Ultimately, this is about strengthening sector capability at a time when expectations, from regulators, residents and government, are rightly increasing.
Elmhurst’s Damp and Mould Assessor Competency Training
The training builds on existing DEA expertise, focusing on the legal context, recognising and assessing risk, and applying a consistent methodology for damp and mould investigations. Delivered remotely through live online sessions led by Elmhurst’s expert trainers, the course is interactive throughout, enabling assessors to ask questions in real time and receive immediate feedback as they develop competence.
The accompanying online software enables assessors to conduct structured inspections, capture photographic evidence, and produce clear, traceable reports. This creates a consistent and auditable process, supporting landlords in evidencing compliance under Awaab’s Law in England and Wales.
As regulatory requirements tighten, the housing sector must respond with increased professional capacity and clear standards of competence. Through the Damp and Mould Competency Scheme, Elmhurst aims to help create a scalable, nationally available workforce capable of delivering consistent, high-quality damp and mould assessments supporting landlords in meeting their legal duties while helping protect residents from preventable harm.
Damp and Mould Assessor Training
Find out more about Elmhurst’s new remote training enabling you to become a Damp and Mould Assessor.
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