Guide to a Healthier Home: Understanding Damp and Mould
Everyone has the right to a warm, secure and decent home and to be treated with dignity and fairness. Yet many people in England are living in a home with damp and mould, which may put their health at risk. According to recent UK Government reports, estimates of the number of homes in England with damp and mould begin at 5%, affecting over 1.3 million homes.
When it comes to our homes, we all want a safe and comfortable place to live. But what happens when damp and mould rear their ugly heads. It’s more than just an eyesore; it can impact our health.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key takeaways from the government’s guide on damp and mould, with a focus on what you need to know. Let’s dive in!
The basics of damp and mould
Damp is the build up of moisture in a property. It affects building materials (such as walls, floors, ceilings, foundations) and/or home furnishings and belongings (such as carpets, curtains, wallpaper, furniture and clothing). In addition to causing damage, damp can also lead to the growth of mould and other microorganisms. Damp can occur in homes for a variety of reasons.
Irrespective of the type of damp (condensation, penetrating, rising or traumatic), those responsible for a home (e.g. homeowner, landlord, or managing agent) must address damp and mould by working with qualified professionals who can identify and tackle these problems.
Why should you care?
Beyond being unsightly, damp and mould can affect your health. It can trigger allergies, worsen respiratory conditions, and cause skin problems. These issues can also impact property value, making homes harder to sell or reducing their market price. Identifying and addressing damp and mould early is crucial for protecting occupiers’ health as well as protecting your property.
Understanding damp and mould
Identifying damp and mould
- Visible signs: Discoloured patches on walls or ceilings. Mould often appears as black, green, or brown spots.
- Musty smell: A persistent, musty odour can be a sign of hidden mould.
- Condensation: Excessive condensation on windows, especially in winter, can contribute to damp.
Addressing damp and mould
- Ventilation: Open windows and use extractor fans, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Heating: Keep your home warm, even when you’re not in. Insulate walls and roofs to prevent cold spots.
- Repair leaks: Promptly fix any leaks in your roof, plumbing, or walls.
- Cleaning: Regularly clean and dust your home to prevent mould growth.
- Tackle condensation: Use lids on pans, dry clothes outside, and don’t overfill wardrobes and cupboards.
Types of damp and mould
Condensation damp
Condensation damp happens when moisture generated inside the home cools and condenses onto colder parts of the buildings (for example window frames, corners and low points on walls behind sofas or wardrobes). This is the most common form of damp.
Penetrating damp
Penetrating damp is water that gets into the building from outside due to defects in the walls, roofs, windows or floors.
Rising damp
Rising damp is moisture from the ground that rises up through parts of the buildings in contact with the ground (walls and floors); it is usually found in older properties and is often misdiagnosed. It can be identified through visual inspection; however chemical testing is the most appropriate way of confirming it. Often it is due to defective damp proof courses and membranes.
Traumatic damp
Traumatic damp can be caused by leaking water from waste and heating pipes, overflowing baths or sinks, burst pipes or defective water storage vessels inside the building. Traumatic damp can also originate from outside the property, for example from another building or from environmental flooding.
Mould
Mould is a type of fungus which grows in moist environments. Mould can cause adverse health effects as well as damage to buildings.
Things to take care of as a homeowner
As we head into autumn and winter, colder temperatures and wetter weather can create new challenges for homeowners. Left unchecked damp and mould can affect both your health and the value of your home. Homeowners should take the time to complete seasonal checks and work with trusted local contractors to keep their property in good condition. Being proactive now can prevent small problems from turning into costly repairs, which is especially important if you’re preparing to sell or arranging a vendor survey.
What you must do as a leaseholder or occupier
Should you discover damp or mould in your property, it is also your responsibility to keep your landlord or managing agent informed of this to ensure that the property is clean and free of any health risks.
Your responsibility as a landlord or managing agent
Landlords and Managing Agents – irrespective of whether they manage a single property or multiple homes – should adopt a proactive approach to the identification and tackling of damp and mould.
This should include:
- Having clear processes in place to document, manage and act on reports of damp and mould and to identify common issues and trends in their housing stock.
- Understanding the condition of their homes and using this to adopt a preventative approach to dealing with damp and mould, making the necessary interventions to ventilation, energy efficiency and building deficiencies before damp and mould occur.
- Understanding that some homes are more difficult to heat, either due to their energy efficiency or cost of living pressures, and that this can make damp and mould more likely to occur. Landlords and Managing Agents should consider what support they can provide or signpost tenants to.
- Supporting tenants and leaseholders to understand what they can do to reduce damp and mould, where applicable and appropriate. This must never be a substitute for addressing the underlying causes of damp and mould.
- Building relationships with tenants and leaseholders to ensure they feel encouraged to report damp and mould.
Awaab’s Law
Awaab’s Law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 from prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing flat, came into force on 27 October 2025. The new legislation requires landlords of social housing to address reported hazards, like damp and mould, within set timeframes to ensure homes are safe and fit to be occupied.
While aimed at social housing, this law is likely to impact managing agents involved with mixed-tenure developments, especially where social housing units are within blocks managed by RMCs or RTM companies. This may include rectifying works needed in common areas, or works that prevents social tenants from safely occupying their homes.
The new rules require social landlords:
- Investigate emergency hazards within 24 hours and begin repairs within 5 working days.
- For significant (non-emergency) hazards, investigations must start within 10 working days.
To manage these changes, we will be continuing to act quickly on reports, logging maintenance requests, and communicating regularly with all those involved with our inspections, maintenance, and actions.
Conclusion
Damp and mould might be unwelcome houseguests, but with knowledge and proactive measures, you can show them the door. Your health and well-being should always come first, and a dry, mould-free home is a significant step in that direction. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Your landlord or managing agent, if you’re renting, should be your partner in creating a healthy living space.
For detailed guidance and resources, you can refer to the government’s guide on damp and mould below.
*This blog was originally published on 25th September 2024. It has been updated and refreshed in 2025 to include new insights and the latest information.
