Damp and mould can grow at anytime of the year, but due to the cold weather, it can be more common during the winter months.

Damp is excess moisture in a building or home, which is mainly caused by leaks or condensation. This can lead to wet patches on walls and cause paint or wallpaper to peel off.

Mould is a type of fungus that can grow on damp surfaces. It can appear a green or black colour, have a fuzzy texture and sometimes it can have a musty smell.

Damp can cause mould or mildew on walls, windows, furniture and textiles such as clothing, carpets or curtains. Both damp and mould can negatively affect a person’s health and cause respiratory issues.

As your landlord, our aim is to eradicate (as far as possible) damp and mould from your home. However, by working together, we can help to prevent damp and mould in your home.

Working out what is causing the problem

The reasons for damp and possibly mould growth arising, are leaks, structural damage, inadequate ventilation/heating and condensation. It is important for us to work out which of these is the main cause so we can adopt the most effective course of action.

What will we do if you report damp and mould?

The first thing we will do is to ask you to try some preventative measures for a 6-week period. The reason we do this is that around 1 in 5 cases of damp and mould can be solved with this approach and it is helpful to eliminate it as a cause. If, at the end of this period you still have a problem, contact us again and we will arrange for someone to come round to your home to investigate.

How to reduce condensation

Condensation appears when moist air touches a colder surface. This can be a window, external wall or even a mirror. It also happens when the air cannot move which is why you can find it behind furniture or
inside wardrobes.

There are 4 key things we can do to reduce condensation in our homes:

• Produce less moisture – tips include putting lids on pans when cooking, drying clothes outside if you can and venting your tumble dryer to the outside.
• Let the damp air out – use extractor fans if you have them, keep kitchen or bathroom doors shut and open the window so steam goes outside. Trickle vents and a gap between furniture and walls, keeps air moving and fresh. To keep air moving, keep a gap between furniture and walls.
• Heat our homes a little more – while you don’t want to be wasting money on heating, having heating on low in rooms you don’t use very much will help prevent them becoming damp.
• Insulate and draught proof them as much as we can – draught proofing will help keep your home warmer. When the whole house is warm, condensation is less likely to form.

First steps in dealing with mould

Wipe down areas with a fungicidal wash (not bleach or washing up liquid). Look for one with a Health & Safety Executive approval number. Spray onto the cloth, not the affected area. You can also paint areas with anti-fungicidal paint. Please let us know if you are struggling to afford this.

Below we have shared our damp and mould leaflet for your reference.

If you have an issue with mould or damp, call us on 0300 2000 120 or email customerservices@wandle.com.

Joe Brennan Training (JBT) have an opportunity to join their team as a Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice (Level 2) which has been exclusively offered to Wandle residents first.

Summary of the role:

• Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice (Level 2)
• The candidate will be working alongside skilled trades people on a large new build site. The successful candidate needs to reside in the Borough of Merton.
• Working Week: 40 hours
• Hourly Wage: £12.25

Please see below for the full job description. If you would like to apply for the role, please send in your application to CSR@higginspartnerships.co.uk, by Sunday 30 November 2025.

It is important you know about gas safety, as a gas leak can be fatal. We have put together some tips and advice to keep you and your home safe.

Always ensure you have an annual gas safety check

As your landlord we have a legal duty to check your gas appliances and flues to ensure they are safe.

We carry out annual safety checks for all our homes and an annual service for any gas appliance we own. These checks usually last between 20-30 minutes and please ensure someone is in for the appointment. If you cannot make an appointment, please contact us so we can rearrange. If we cannot complete the gas safety checks due to obstruction or denied entry, will request court permission to force entry into your home.

Any Wandle or partnering employee who attends your property, will be wearing an ID card. If you would like to check their identity further, please call us on 0300 2000 120.

Obtain a gas safety certificate

A gas safety certificate provides you with the confirmation that the appliances in your home are safe to use. A gas safety certificate, also known as a gas safety record, is a document given to you by the gas engineer after they have carried out gas works, repairs or safety checks within your home. This is a legal requirement and should be updated every 12 months.

Book an annual boiler check

We recommend your boiler is serviced once a year to ensure it runs safely and efficiently, as well as ensuring your boiler warranty remains valid.

Get a carbon monoxide alarm fitted

To keep your home safe, get a carbon monoxide alarm fitted and place it roughly 15cm from the ceiling. Make sure you test the batteries regularly.

Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose

It is important to only use your gas appliance for its intended purpose as tampering could be fatal.

This will ensure that the appliances are used safely and avoid any unwanted emergencies. Gas appliances should have adequate ventilation: making sure no air vents are blocked allows gas appliances to burn properly, reducing the risk of fire or explosion. 

Know what to do in an emergency

If you think you can smell gas:

• put out any flames
• do not touch any electrical appliances
• open all windows and doors
• turn off the gas emergency valve control if you can
• leave the property

Then call the National Grid immediately on 0800 111 999.

Do not use your phone within the property. Make sure you follow all the advice given to you by the emergency adviser and wait outside for the engineer to arrive.

Today, Wednesday 5 November, is Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night and is an annual commemoration to mark the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, where a group of conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to overthrow King James I. Bonfire Night is usually celebrated with bonfires and fireworks across the country, and celebrations are likely to continue into the weekend.

While Bonfire Night can be a fun night for everyone to enjoy, for many it can be distressing, and it is important to respect your elderly and vulnerable neighbours, as well as those with young children and pets.

Here are some tips to keep everyone safe during this time:

Bonfire and firework safety

• If you are hosting a fireworks party, please tell your neighbours, especially those who are elderly, have young children or have pets. Please also be mindful of neighbours who may have experienced conflict or served in the forces.
• Never have a bonfire or let off fireworks on your balcony or in communal areas.
• Don’t set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am.
• Please avoid using drink or drugs before or when using fireworks.
• Never return to a lit firework.
• Never throw fireworks and never have fireworks in your pocket.
• Children should never play or light fireworks.
• Sparklers should be lit at arm’s length and at one at a time. Children under five should not handle sparklers, and children over five should be always supervised by an adult. Wear gloves when handling sparklers and dispose of them in a bucket of water.
• Keep your pets indoors from tonight until the end of the weekend, close the curtains and play some gentle music or pop the television on to mask the sound. For more information on keeping your pets safe during fireworks night, please visit the RSPCA website.
• The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by going to an organised event. Check your local council’s website for displays near you.

For more information, visit Fireworks | London Fire Brigade (london-fire.gov.uk)

Thank you to everyone who entered our annual gardening competition Greenfingers.

We loved seeing your botanical creations and your creative use of space and are pleased to share with you our winners for 2025!

Best Back Garden – Fiona Kenna

Our Best Back Garden award was presented to our resident Fiona Kenna by Our Head of Customer Service, Lillian Lanek and our Customer Empowerment Lead, Jeremy Kimberley, pictured below.

Fiona has beautifully transformed her outdoor space into a relaxing retreat, using her thoughtful use of design and creating a calming seating area.

Best Community Garden – Soul Food Garden and Gladstone Court

This year’s Best Community Garden category was proudly awarded to two well-deserving winners. Both winners demonstrated how collaboration within the local community can encourage connection, a sense of belonging and positivity within their local areas.

Congratulations to Soul Food Garden and Gladstone Court.

Our Executive Director of Customer and Operational Services Francis Burrows, along with our Customer Empowerment Lead, Jeremy Kimberley are pictured with our winners below.

Best Balcony – Sophie and Robyn Huggins

Our Best Balcony award was presented to Sophie and Robyn Huggins for their nature-filled outdoor space, proving even the smallest of gardens can be transformed into a peaceful escape.

This year Halloween takes place on Friday 31 October and it is likely the celebrations will continue into the weekend. We have put together some handy tips to keep you and your family safe over the Halloween weekend.

Fire safety

• Use battery-operated candles in your pumpkins.
• Use battery-operated torches and glowsticks.
• When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric and make sure they are labelled as flame-resistant.
• Teach children to stay away from pumpkins in case they have a live flame inside.
• If you are decorating your home, please make sure all decorations are away from open flames, ovens, microwaves and radiators.
• Make sure to keep all exits clear of decorations in your home.
• Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

Stay street smart

• Always accompany young children.
• If your older children are trick-or-treating without adult supervision, plan a route with them and agree a time they will get back home.
• Remind children the risk of distracted walking and remind them to not assume cars will always stop at crossings.
• Stay on well-lit streets in well-known areas and always use the pavement.
• Caution children to never enter a house or car to receive their Halloween treat.
• Remind children of all ages what to do in case of an emergency and how to call 999.

Halloween disturbances and home safety

• Remember that some people will not want to be disturbed. If there is a pumpkin outside a house, it’s usually a good sign they are happy to receive trick-or-treaters.
• When out trick-or-treating, be mindful of your noise and do not ring someone’s doorbell or knock more than once.
• If you want to receive trick-or-treaters, always use a door chain or look out of a spy hole/window before opening the door.
• Only open the door if you feel it’s safe to do so. If you don’t feel safe, it’s fine to not open the door.
• Some people leave a bowl of sweets outside their home, so they don’t have to keep answering the door.
• If you’re worried about Halloween night, invite a friend, family member or relative to sit with you.

It’s ok to not take part in Halloween

If you don’t want to receive trick-or-treaters and are concerned about staying safe, always have your doors and windows locked. We have created a poster you can print at home or at your local library to attach to your front door, so you won’t be disturbed.

Happy Diwali! Today as the start of Diwali, the vibrant ‘Festival of Lights’, which marks the Hindu New Year and is celebrated annually with joy and togetherness.

As many people prepare to celebrate, we’ve put together some helpful safety tips to ensure you and your loved ones enjoy the festivities safely.

Fire safety

Diwali sees an increase of oil lamps and candles used around the home, therefore it’s important to keep fire safe.

• Light candles out of reach from children and pets. Also teach children to stay away from open flames.
• If you are decorating your home, make sure all decorations are away from open flames, ovens, microwaves and radiators.
• Ensure Diya lamps are placed securely and in suitable holders. Also ensure tealights are on heat-resistant surfaces.
• Keep open flames away from soft furnishings, such as curtains and throws.
• Never leave candles unattended.
• Make sure to keep all exits clear of decorations.
• Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

Cooking family feasts and tasty treats

• Ensure your cooker and hob are always kept clear when not in use.
• Don’t leave pans unattended.
• Don’t leave children unattended in the kitchen.
• Don’t fill a pan with more than one third of oil and if it starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
• Never pour water over hot oil.

Firework safety

• Fireworks must be used outside and by a responsible adult.
• Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark and keep them in a closed box.
• Use fireworks one at a time.
• Read and follow the instructions for each firework.
• Place the firework on a stable surface.
• Keep naked flames away from fireworks.
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
• Dispose of fireworks by soaking them in a bucket of water for several hours. Then place them in a plastic bag when cooled and place them in a black bin.
• Do not put fireworks in your pocket.
• Never throw fireworks.
• Keep pets inside.
• Ensure children are a safe distance away from the fireworks.
• If you are using sparklers, make sure to wear gloves and place them in a bucket of water when finished.

We hope you have a fantastic Diwali!

This week is Fire Door Safety Week, and this year’s theme is ‘Fire Travels Fast’.

Fire Door Safety Week was launched in 2013 to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of fire door safety.

According to The British Woodworking Federation (BWF), due to the increase of lithium-ion battery operated items such as e-bikes and e-scooters being brought into homes and communal areas, the public’s concern has risen around fire safety in the home.

We have put together information and tips on how to spot if a fire door is not being used properly to prevent any risk to you or your home.

What do fire doors do?

Fire doors create a barrier from fire and toxic smoke and prevent them from travelling through a building, restricting damage to a small area. They also enable people to evacuate a building and provide safe access for the emergency services. A fire door only works if it is installed correctly.

Where are fire doors installed?

In a block of flats, fire doors should be on the stairwells and in corridors and the front door of each flat should also be a fire door. They are also used to protect areas where there is a risk of combustion, for example bin storage areas or mains electricity service cupboards. Sometimes fire doors are installed within individual homes, but this depends on design and layout. Fire doors will also have a blue sign stating they are a fire door. If the fire door is a front door or inside an individual home, it does not need a sign.

Inspection and maintenance

Like all landlords and building owners, we’re legally responsible for fire doors in the common areas of buildings. We inspect our doors regularly. However, if you notice anything wrong with a door, please bring it to our attention by contacting us.

Fire doors as front doors

It is crucial a front door works properly if a fire breaks out, therefore we inspect these regularly. Leaseholders may be responsible for making sure their front door has a suitable fire rating and that compatible components are fitted. This can be checked within the lease agreement.  

Keeping you and your neighbours safe

• Don’t leave a fire door wedged or propped open
• Keep access to fire doors clear and free from obstruction  
• Check your front door closes safely – hold it halfway open, and check the latch engages when you let it go
• If a fire door doesn’t close, report it to us immediately
• Never disconnect an automatic closer – the door is useless if it remains open, and it will allow the spread of smoke and fire
• Don’t remove kitchen or other internal fire doors
• If you’re fitting new carpets, make sure the door still closes smoothly – if it catches on the carpet, consider fitting rising hinges. Don’t trim the door!
• Don’t make new openings in fire doors for cat flaps or letter boxes without seeking advice.
• Do not charge e-bikes or e-scooters in hallways or communal areas. Also do not charge electric vehicles using a communal plug socket.

Reporting an issue

Please contact us if you find an issue or have further questions. You can also contact your local fire service for further information and visit the Fire Door Safety Week website.

For further fire safety information, click here.

The weather has been warming up again, and with the next bank holiday just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get grilling on the BBQ.

We have put together some tips to keep you safe when using a BBQ:

• Never use a barbecue (including disposables) indoors or on your balcony. 
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area. 
• Don’t cook in communal areas. Have your barbecues in a private space, away from neighbours and well away from sheds, fences, trees or shrubs. 
• Have a fire extinguisher close to hand and know how to use it. You also need to know how to cut the gas supply, and it’s useful to know how to treat burns. 
• Never leave your barbecue unattended. 
• Smoke can get in hair, clothes, eyes and lungs, but also contains carbon monoxide and other dangerous substances. Try and keep your distance as much as possible. 
• Grilling gloves and utensils with a long handle will keep arms and hands safe from flames. 
• Wash your hands before preparing food, after touching raw meat and before eating. 
• Check food is cooked: ideally, burgers, chicken and sausages should be tested with a thermometer before eating and no pink meat should be visible.  
• After you have finished cooking, check the charcoal is cold or the gas has been turned off. Store your barbecue in a safe, dry place and not on your balcony. 
• Remember to clean up your barbecue after using to avoid any pests. 

See more advice on safer barbecues from London Fire Brigade. 

If you have an emergency while having a barbecue, please call 999. 

Are you a Wandle homeowner who wants a real say in how your services are delivered?
This is your chance to be heard and make a difference. We’re launching a new Wandle
Homeowners Panel and are looking for volunteers to join us!

As a panel member, you will:

• Have a direct say in decisions about service charges, major works, consultations, insurance cost and leaseholder matters.
• Hold us accountable and help raise standards.
• Help us improve communication, transparency and service standards.
• Influence how we implement the Service Charges Code and shape policies on shared ownership and leasehold.
• Contribute to our journey towards a HQN accreditation for excellence in homeownership services. Your involvement can help us achieve that goal.
  

The panel will meet quarterly, either in person or online, and will be made up of a diverse group of homeowners from across Wandle homes.

If you are interested in joining the panel, please email homeownership@wandle.com. Please include your name, address. and a few lines about why you’d like to join. Together we can make a real difference.