Damp and mould

Unresolved and untreated damp can cause mould growth which can be harmful to the health of you and your family.

The most common cause of damp is condensation, which has become more of an issue in recent years as modern, well‑insulated homes allow less moisture to escape.

Condensation

Condensation happens when humid air meets cold surfaces like walls and windows, causing tiny water droplets to form. Everyday activities such as cooking, bathing and even breathing can add excessive moisture to the air.

If condensation sits on surfaces for long periods, it can soak into walls and furniture, leading to damp and mould.

Condensation is the most common cause of damp, but it is also the easiest and most cost‑effective to treat.

Watch our video about how to prevent condensation.

Penetrating damp

Penetrating damp is when water enters the property from outside, caused by:

• a leaky roof
• faulty guttering
• cracks in external walls
• internal leaks or leaks from an upstairs neighbour (if in a flat)
• plumbing problems

A brown stain normally occurs on the affected surface, which grows in size as more water penetrates. If the fault is not rectified, plaster will start to perish and in the case of ceilings could even collapse

Penetrating damp is resolved by finding and fixing the cause of the issue.

Rising damp

Rising damp is when groundwater soaks up into the bricks or concrete of the building. This is in properties which either have not been built with a damp proof course (DPC) or where the DPC has failed.

The most obvious signs of rising damp are a brown tidemark on the wall and the plaster below feels cold or damp to the touch.

It can be remedied by installing a damp proof course but might sometimes involve subcontractors, specialists and multiple repairs .

Report damp in a council property

Let us know as soon as possible if you experience damp in your council home. It is important that we understand whether:

• the problem has been caused by a repair issue, or
• the damp or mould is affecting your health or safety.

We will always ask you to clean away any visible mould. This helps reduce exposure to mould spores, which can be harmful to your health. Cleaning the mould will not prevent us from identifying or repairing the underlying cause.

If you are concerned about losing evidence of the issue, we encourage you to take clear photos before cleaning. We will treat your report as a priority and a maintenance inspector will visit to assess the problem.

Report damp in private sector housing

Let your landlord know as soon as possible if you experience damp in your property. They are responsible for looking into what’s causing the problem and fixing any repairs that are needed to keep your home safe and comfortable.

While you’re waiting for your landlord to visit, it can help to gently clean away any small areas of mould so it doesn’t affect your health. See tips in the sections above on the best way to do this.

If you’re worried about removing the mould before the landlord sees it, take photos first. Cleaning it won’t stop a landlord from identifying what’s causing the damp.

Find out more about the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants:

• Tenants
• Landlords

Further information

• Read our Damp and Mould Policy

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