UNITY HELP HUB

STAYING SAFE WHEN IT'S TOO HOT

High temperatures in your home can be more than just uncomfortable; they can be dangerous. If the temperature rises above 30°C, the UNITY companion app will send you an alert. Elevated indoor temperatures can lead to health issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as worsen existing conditions like heart problems. It's crucial to take steps to cool down your living space.

THE RISKS OF BEING COLD

Cold temperatures are not just uncomfortable, they can be hazardous to your health. If your home's temperature drops below 14°C, the UNITY companion app will alert you. Low temperatures can lead to conditions like hypothermia and worsen existing health issues.

WHY IS HIGH HUMIDITY BAD?

High humidity in your home is not just uncomfortable; it can also lead to issues like mould and worsened allergies. The UNITY companion app will help you monitor and manage humidity levels effectively.

HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Low humidity can irritate your skin and eyes, and can make respiratory issues worse. The UNITY companion app will help you monitor when humidity is too low in your home.

HOW UNITY WORKS

UNITY makes your home smarter and safer by using Bluetooth low-energy devices. These gadgets check the temperature, humidity, and whether your windows are open or closed. All this info shows up on your UNITY companion app and your Housing Association’s dashboard. This helps catch and fix any unsafe conditions in your home before they become big problems.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON INSTALLATION DAY

Before our friendly installation team arrives, here's a quick rundown of what to expect.

IF YOUR ROOMS ARE NOT UPDATING IN THE UNITY COMPANION APP

What You'll Need:
Your smartphone with the UNITY Companion App
Access to the UNITY Gateway (white disc) and the 4G router

See the Steps below to Fix the Issue:

Advice From the Government Website

Source: GOV.UK

Health effects of damp and mould

Damp and mould within the home can produce allergens, irritants, mould spores and other toxins that are harmful to health. Even if visible mould is not present, dampness alone can increase the risk of health problems. Excessive moisture can promote the growth of microorganisms such as mould and other fungi, certain species of house dust mites, bacteria or viruses. The more serious the damp and mould problem and the longer it is left untreated, the worse the health impacts and risks are likely to be.

Most people come into contact with the substances produced by damp and mould by breathing them in. This means they predominantly affect the airways and lungs.

Damp and mould can cause disease and ill health in anyone, but people with underlying health conditions, weakened immune systems, and some other groups of people are at greater risk of ill-health from damp and mould (see ‘People at increased risk from damp and mould’).

During the inquest into the death of Awaab Ishak, the Coroner concluded that Awaab’s death was a result of a severe respiratory condition due to prolonged exposure to mould. Awaab’s death highlights just how crucial it is for landlords to understand the health risks of damp and mould and respond with urgency when cases are reported.

Landlords should advise any tenant who is concerned about the symptoms they are experiencing to consult a healthcare professional. Landlords should not delay action to await medical evidence or opinion - medical evidence is not a requirement for action, and damp and mould should always be addressed promptly to protect tenant health.

Respiratory effects

Damp and mould predominantly affect the airways and lungs. The respiratory effects of damp and mould can cause serious illness and, in the most severe cases, death. The respiratory effects include:

• general symptoms such as cough, wheeze and shortness of breath
• increased risk of airway infections, including aspergillosis (an infection of the airways with the fungus Aspergillus)
• development or worsening of allergic airway diseases such as rhinitis (a condition causing nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing and itching), asthma and other conditions that involve inflammation of the airways (including bronchitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD))

In 2019, the presence of damp and/or mould in English residences was estimated to be associated with approximately 5,000 cases of asthma and approximately 8,500 lower respiratory infections among children and adults. In addition, damp and mould were estimated to contribute to 1 to 2% of new cases of allergic rhinitis in that year. Alternative data sources, primarily from self-reporting, suggest that the percentage of dwellings affected by damp and/or mould may be even higher than the estimates used for this study, in which case the total number of cases could be 3 to 8 times greater.

Other physical health effects

Some people who are exposed to damp and mould might experience adverse health outcomes that are not linked to their airways or lungs. These include:

• irritation of the eye potentially leading to allergic conjunctivitis
• eczema, and other patches of itchy skin or skin rashes
• other fungal infections (including, but not exclusively those of the skin), especially in people with weakened immune systems

Mental health effects

Some people who are exposed to damp and mould might experience poor mental health as a result of living in a home with damp and mould. This could be due to:

• unpleasant living conditions
• destruction of property and belongings
• anxiety related to physical health impacts and/or looking after a relative suffering from damp and mould-related illnesses
• frustration with poor advice and/or being blamed for damp and mould
• social isolation as a result of not wanting visitors in the home
• delays in response or repairs following reporting of damp and mould and/or poor quality of repairs

People at increased risk from damp and mould

Certain individuals may be at increased risk of the health impacts of damp and mould exposure. This could be due to health-related or age-related vulnerabilities, or because they are less able to report and act on guidance related to damp and mould, or simply because they are more likely to live in a home with damp and mould.

People most at risk of health issues from damp and mould

While damp and mould pose a risk to anyone’s health and should always be acted on quickly, it is particularly important that damp and mould is addressed with urgency for the groups below as they are more vulnerable to significant health impacts:

• people with a pre-existing health condition (for example allergies, asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, other lung diseases and cardiovascular disease) who are at risk of their condition worsening and have a higher risk of developing fungal infections and/or additional allergies
• people of all ages who have a weakened immune system, such as people who have cancer or are undergoing chemotherapy, people who have had a transplant, or other people who are taking medications that suppress their immune system
• people living with a mental health condition
• pregnant women, their unborn babies and women who have recently given birth, who may have weakened immune systems
• children and young people whose organs are still developing and are therefore more likely to suffer from physical conditions such as respiratory problems
• children and young people who are at risk of worsening mental health
• older people
• people who are bedbound, housebound or have mobility problems making it more difficult for them to get out of a home with damp and mould and into fresh air

People who fall into more than one of these categories are likely to be particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of damp and mould. Landlords should not delay action to await medical evidence or opinion - medical evidence is not a requirement for action.

Groups who are most likely to live in homes with damp and mould

Certain groups are more likely than others to live in homes with damp and mould. This includes:

• people with a long-term illness
• people who struggle to heat their homes and/or are experiencing fuel poverty
• people on low incomes
• people with disabilities
• people from ethnic minority backgrounds
• people living in temporary accommodation

Housing conditions that increase tenants’ risk of living in a home with damp and mould

In England, housing stock varies significantly in age, design and building materials, each with different challenges in relation to damp and mould. There are a variety of housing conditions that put people at increased risk of exposure to damp and mould. They include:

• homes where residents feel unable to open windows due to concerns about security, noise, or high outdoor air pollution
• homes that are poorly or inadequately insulated
• homes with inefficient or ineffective and expensive to run heating systems
• homes that are poorly ventilated
• homes without adequate damp proof courses
• homes that are poorly maintained
• homes that are overcrowded

Landlords should proactively investigate their housing stock for damp and mould issues, particularly when homes meet any of these criteria.

People who are most likely to face barriers to reporting damp and mould

Tenants may face barriers which may mean they struggle to report damp and mould to their landlord. This may be due to knowledge, language, literacy or communication barriers, personal circumstances, a lack of awareness of legal standards and housing rights in England, or fear of eviction or discrimination, among other things.

Landlords should consider how they might best support these tenants, by building trust and working with other professionals who may be able to provide additional support (see below ‘Responding with urgency and sensitivity and taking tenants’ needs into consideration’ in the section ‘Identifying and addressing damp and mould in your property’ and ‘Building relationships with other professionals’ in ‘Reducing the risk of damp and mould developing’.

Types of tenants who might face barriers to reporting include:

• people from ethnic minority backgrounds
• people who have moved to the UK within the past 10 years, including people seeking refuge and foreign students
• people moving in and out of homelessness and/or in insecure tenures
• people with a learning disability and/or a neurodiverse condition such as autism
• people living with a mental health condition
• people who are dependent on alcohol and/or drugs
• people in receipt of welfare benefits
• people who live in houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
• people living in the private rented sector who have a fear of eviction
• people without a diagnosed mental health condition or registered disability but with either temporary or on-going support needs

UNITY COMMUNITY

UNITY Community is designed to help you keep your home happy all year round.

With advice on seasonal events and the dangers these may bring to you home and loved ones.

Use the tabs below to select the advice you want to view, and scroll to view it all

A GUIDE TO TRICKLE VENTS

Trickle vents are small ventilation openings designed to allow a controlled amount of air to enter a room. They are typically found in windows or doors. Here's a general guide on how to open a trickle vent:

1. Locate the Trickle Vent:

   - Identify the trickle vent on your window or door. It is usually a small, slotted opening or a lever that can be adjusted.

2. Check for Controls:

   - Some trickle vents have simple slats that can be manually adjusted by sliding or rotating.

   - Others may have a lever or a knob that can be turned to control the airflow.

3. Slide or Rotate the Slats:

   - If your trickle vent has slats, gently slide or rotate them to open the vent. This action allows air to flow into the room.

4. Adjust the Lever or Knob:

   - If there's a lever or knob, turn it in the direction indicated for opening. This will vary depending on the specific design of the trickle vent.

5. Set Desired Airflow:

   - Trickle vents are adjustable, so you can set them to allow a small or larger amount of air to enter. Experiment to find the level that provides the desired ventilation without creating discomfort.

6. Close When Not Needed:

   - When you no longer need additional ventilation or during adverse weather conditions, close the trickle vent to prevent drafts and maintain energy efficiency.

7. Refer to the Manufacturer's Instructions:

   - If you have difficulty opening the trickle vent, or if you're unsure about its operation, consult the manufacturer's instructions that came with your window or door.

Remember that the design and operation of trickle vents may vary, so it's crucial to refer to the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for your particular model.