Social housing RMI ventilation solutions

RMI stands for Repair, Maintenance and Improvement. In social housing, RMI projects involve maintaining, repairing, upgrading or refurbishing existing homes rather than constructing new properties. Ventilation is an important part of RMI because refurbishment measures such as insulation, replacement windows and improved airtightness can change how a property manages moisture and indoor air quality.

Effective ventilation helps remove moisture, pollutants and stale air from homes and can help reduce the conditions that contribute to condensation, damp and mould. During refurbishment, ventilation should be considered alongside insulation, airtightness, heating and other building improvements rather than treated as a standalone measure.

The appropriate ventilation system depends on the property, existing ventilation provision, building layout, available space, air permeability and the scope of the refurbishment. Solutions can include continuous mechanical extract ventilation (MEV), decentralised mechanical extract ventilation (dMEV), mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), and positive input ventilation (PIV).

Mechanical ventilation can help manage moisture by continuously removing moisture-laden air from areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms. However, ventilation should form part of an assessment of the underlying cause of damp and mould rather than being treated as a universal solution.

Yes. Awaab’s Law places requirements on social landlords to investigate and address significant damp and mould hazards within specified timeframes. Government guidance specifically recognises that where damp and mould results from inadequate ventilation, appropriate remedial action may include installing mechanical ventilation.

Housing associations should consider the existing ventilation system, property type, dwelling size, moisture sources, available installation space, noise, energy use, maintenance requirements, resident disruption, commissioning and ongoing performance. The ventilation strategy should also be considered alongside the wider refurbishment works.

Yes, MVHR can be used in some refurbishment projects, but its suitability depends on the property and the feasibility of installing the required ductwork, terminals and equipment. A survey and ventilation design assessment should be undertaken before selecting a system.

There is no single ventilation system that is suitable for every social housing retrofit. The appropriate solution depends on the existing building, available space, ventilation requirements, refurbishment scope and project budget. Options can include MEV, dMEV, MVHR and PIV.