Damp and mould

If there is damp or mould in your home, this can affect your airways and lungs, as well as your eyes and skin. The respiratory effects of damp and mould can cause serious illness and, in the most severe cases, death.

Report a home in disrepair

Awaab's Law was introduced after the tragic death of two year old Awaab Ishak caused by long term exposure to mould. The law intends to ensure landlords act to avoid conditions that put the health and safety of their tenants at risk.

Everyone is vulnerable to the health impacts of damp and mould, but people with certain health conditions, children and older adults have a higher chance of more serious reactions.

Having damp and mould in your home can also damage your property and belongings creating unpleasant living conditions.

Find information and guidance on the health risks of damp and mould in your home.

Further helpful information, including a short video on the possible causes of damp in your home, can be found on Shelter’s website.

Action you should take if you are worried about damp and mould in your home

Condensation is the most common cause of mould. It happens when moisture in the air meets a cold surface, like a window or an external wall.

Try to limit condensation by:

opening windows regularly
covering pans when you cook
drying your washing outdoors or in a dryer
closing internal doors when you cook or shower
using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom
leaving a gap between furniture and external walls
wiping condensation from window sills each morning

Condensation is often worse in cold properties. We can help with the cost of living if you are struggling with rising energy bills.

Tell your landlord about the problem

You must make sure your landlord is aware of the damp and mould problem. You can use Shelter’s letter template to let them know and should keep a record of all conversations, emails and messages on the subject.

You may also be required to give your landlord access to inspect your home to find out what's causing the problem.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, you can contact our Private Sector Housing Team on:

Telephone: 0300 126 7000

Email: [email protected]

Or report it through our online form at the top of the page.

Your landlord should not tell you:

to paint over mould that keeps coming back
that the problems are just condensation without checking
to stop doing everyday things such as cooking or showering

If your landlord is a housing association

You should report the problem to your landlord, i.e. the housing association. Our main local housing associations have information about damp and mould on their websites along with information about how to report this to them.

If your housing association landlord does not respond, use their internal complaints process, which you will find on their website.

If you have completed your landlord’s complaint process and the problem has not been resolved, you can complain to the Housing Ombudsman Service, who can investigate further.

If this still does not solve the problem, contact our Private Sector Housing Team by:

Telephone 0300 126 7000

Email: [email protected]

Or report it through our online form at the top of the page.

Further information on damp and mould regulation in social and private rented properties

Private and social landlords must adhere to several regulations related to damp and mould. Failure to do so may put them at risk of legal prosecution or financial penalties. The legislation and standards are sometimes different for social and private rented landlords, but include:

Works to the heating and ventilation systems and replacement of windows are all considered to be ‘controlled work’. When undertaking ‘controlled work’, landlords must comply with the Building Regulations 2010.

Last updated 11 December 2024