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It is a problem that normally is much worse at this time of year. Surprisingly, if the property has had new windows and doors, as well as other improvements to reduce drafts, the worse this problem seems to be, as there is a reduction in ventilation.

At a meeting of the community committee on January 7, an agenda item was considered (East Kent housing improvement plan).

I spoke at the meeting about the solution also mentioned in your article about Jane Roberts, to ask people to turn up the heating and open the windows.

Whilst it is a remedy, it is not a practical solution as a lot of people will be struggling to keep warm and pay for heating.

I would like to look into the possibility of using dehumidifiers that could be permanently installed. Such a machine can switch itself on when needed and off again when the humidity has dropped.

I appreciate that there will be a purchase cost, and an ongoing cost of maintenance and repair to the housing association, and a cost to the tenant in the form of electricity used by the unit. But I feel that sending a contractor to wash the walls is at best a temporary solution and, when looked at over a period of time, I wonder if a dehumidifier may be more economical in the long run. In my experience, these machines last for many years.