By law, Southern Housing must now meet strict timeframes when serious health and safety issues are reported in residents’ homes:

• Emergency hazards that pose an immediate risk to health or safety must be fixed within 24 hours.

• Significant damp and mould must be investigated within 10 working days.

• Where a risk is identified, homes must be made safe within 5 working days.

Examples of hazards that could be emergency hazards requiring emergency action include, but are not limited to:

• gas or carbon monoxide leaks

• broken boilers

• total loss of water supply

• electrical hazards such as exposed wiring

• significant leaks

• broken external doors or windows that present a risk to home security

• prevalent damp and/or mould that is having a material impact on a tenant’s health

• significant structural defects or disrepair