DEFA investigating concerns raised about roof installation in Manx housing estate

A social media video claims poor ventilation is leading to mould

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) says it's investigating concerns raised about the installation of a number of roofs in a Manx housing estate.

Geoff Smith, otherwise known as 'The Roofing Outlaw', describes himself as on a mission to 'make roofing great again'.

In a video posted to social media, he claims a number of houses are developing mould because the roofs don't have proper ventilation.

Geoff, who's based in Yorkshire, told Manx Radio why he came to the Island in the first place:

The woman who contacted Geoff, who wants to stay anonymous, says she's had to move out of her home amid safety concerns.

And mould can seriously impact your health.

People living with mould are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses, infections, allergies or asthma.

In fact, the NHS in England spends an estimated £1.4 billion every year treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing, according to a 2021 report from building research body BRE.

But have the homes in this particular estate on the Island really been poorly built, or do they actually meet the required building standards on the Isle of Man?

The housing estate in question was built by Dandara, who has given us this statement:

"We are aware of a recent social media post that misrepresents our roofing and ventilation. 

"Every roof is fitted with a breathable membrane that meets Isle of Man Building Control and NHBC standards and does not require additional vents. 

"Modern homes are built to be far more thermally efficient and airtight than older properties, which typically benefited from natural ventilation points. 

"Today’s homes rely on background ventilation - such as trickle vents on windows and doors - and mechanical extract systems to manage internal moisture and condensation.

"We remain committed to building high-quality, durable homes and would encourage any resident with a query to contact our Customer Care team directly."

Richard Striven is an independent property developer on the Island and has also trained as a surveyor.

While he says Dandara is right, he believes it to be a symptom of a bigger issue:

Manx Radio has asked DEFA to respond to the points raised by Richard.

In a statement, it says it's aware of the concerns raised in the video and is taking them seriously.

However, the matter requires further investigation, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment in detail at this stage.