Barnet Group has been flagged for significant issues concerning damp and mould, with an internal audit revealing high-risk findings in several key areas. The report, presented to the Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee (GARMS) on Thursday, 17 September 2026, highlighted weaknesses in compliance with Awaab's Law timescales, the effective use of vulnerability information for case prioritisation, and the thorough completion of follow-up assessments.
The audit specifically identified non-compliance with Awaab's Law mandates, including the crucial timescales for removing hazards (within 24 hours) and conducting inspections and reporting to customers (within 10 working days for inspections and three working days for reports). Furthermore, the review found that vulnerability information was not being adequately utilised to support the prioritisation of damp and mould cases.
In response to these findings, The Barnet Group has acknowledged the issues and has put in place comprehensive improvement plans. Additional resources have been allocated, and a dedicated recovery programme is currently underway. Progress is being closely monitored by The Barnet Group's Executive Management Team, Board, and Audit & Risk Committee.
Since the internal audit, The Barnet Group has reported a positive trend in its Damp and Mould Key Performance Indicator (KPI) performance. Regular updates on this progress are shared with The Barnet Group Board, and a summary was presented to the Cabinet in June. The target date for the full implementation of the actions arising from this review is 30 September 2026.
This report was presented as part of the public reports pack for the Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee meeting on 17 September 2026, available at Public reports pack 17th Sep 2026.
