Damp investigations are thorough

We would like to take this opportunity to respond to your editorial comment last week ‘Dickensian housing conditions at Rye’. AmicusHorizon has over 700 properties in Rye and we receive a very small percentage of complaints about damp and mould. For all cases of damp and condensation reported to us, between 80 to 90 per cent are condensation caused by lifestyle. By lifestyle we mean residents may not be properly ventilating or adequately heating their home to minimise humidity. We treat any complaint of damp and mould seriously.

It is inaccurate to suggest we do nothing more than take readings from a hand-held device. In reference to the two properties you reported on (Mr Fairclough and Ms Forrester), we instructed an independent specialist who are experts in damp and condensation to carry out a thorough survey. The specialist who carried out both surveys has over 35 years experience. They carried out a visual inspection and used specialist equipment to investigate the complaint. We carried out any recommendations for corrective work or further investigations from these surveys. We’ll continue to work with Mr Fairclough and Ms Forrester to resolve the issues within their homes. If any other residents have any concerns we would encourage them to contact us.

Kind regards John Shortt Asset Management Director, AmicusHorizon