Damp & Mould Support for Residents

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Damp and mould are very common in UK homes, especially in the colder months. They're more than just unsightly. Left alone, they can damage your belongings and affect your family's health. The upside is that most damp and mould problems can be fixed, and a lot of them can be prevented.

We work with housing providers across the UK to look after residents' homes. We've put this page together to help you spot the signs early, get problems reported and keep your home warm, dry and healthy.

 

How to report damp and mould

If you spot damp or mould, please tell your housing provider straight away, even if it only looks like a small patch. You won't be causing a fuss. The sooner they know, the sooner someone can find out what's causing it and put it right.

 

Why reporting matters: Awaab's Law

Awaab's Law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died in 2020 after living with mould in his family's home in Rochdale. It was brought in so that no family has to go through the same thing.

Since October 2025, social landlords in England have had to look into reports of serious damp and mould within set timescales, tell you in writing what they've found, and make your home safe. Emergencies need to be dealt with within 24 hours. From October 2026, similar rules apply to social and private renters in Scotland too.

Those timescales only start once your housing provider knows there's a problem. So the quicker you report it, the quicker things can happen.

 

How to report it

The easiest way is usually through your housing provider's resident hub, online portal or repairs line. You'll normally find the details on their website, in your tenancy pack or on a recent letter.

The Housing Ombudsman suggests being as clear as you can when you report. It helps to mention:

  • which rooms are affected, where in the room it is, and whether it's spreading
  • whether it's a new problem or one you've reported before (have your reference number handy if you've got one)
  • roughly how big the area is and how long it's been there
  • anything you think might be causing it, like a leak, a problem with the building or a repair that hasn't been done yet
  • whether anyone at home has a health condition, is pregnant, older or very young, as this can affect how quickly it's prioritised

If you're feeling unwell and think the damp or mould might be to blame, speak to your GP. In the meantime, try to keep rooms with moisture in them well ventilated.

 

Take a photo before you clean

It's tempting to wipe mould away as soon as you see it, but grab a couple of photos first. One close-up and one showing where it is in the room is perfect. Make a note of the date too.

Photos show your housing provider how much mould there was and help the surveyor work out what's causing it. Once it's cleaned off, that evidence is gone.

 

What causes damp and mould?

Mould needs two things to grow: moisture and still air. Work out where the moisture is coming from and you're halfway to sorting it.

Signs to look out for

  • black, green or white spots on walls, ceilings, window frames or around sealant
  • a musty, earthy smell, often in wardrobes and cupboards
  • water droplets on windows and cold walls, especially first thing in the morning
  • peeling wallpaper, flaking paint or crumbling plaster
  • damp patches or tide marks that show up after it rains

Can smell mould but can't see it?

Mould doesn't always show itself. A musty smell that won't go away can mean it's hiding behind wallpaper, under carpets, around pipes, behind furniture or inside heating and ventilation units.

Please don't go looking for it yourself. Pulling up carpets or peeling back wallpaper can release mould spores into the air. Report it to your housing provider and they'll send someone to deal with it safely.

 

The most common causes

Condensation: This is the big one. Cooking, showering and drying clothes all put moisture into the air. When that warm, damp air hits a cold window or wall, it turns back into water, and that's where mould starts.

Poor ventilation: If moist air can't escape, it builds up. Closed trickle vents, extractor fans that don't work and furniture pushed tight against walls can all make it worse.

Cold spots: Some parts of a home lose heat faster than others, like corners, window reveals and ceilings under the loft. These cold spots, sometimes called thermal or cold bridges, are where condensation tends to collect.

Penetrating damp: Water getting in from outside through things like a damaged roof, blocked gutters, cracked render or worn window seals.

Rising damp: Moisture coming up from the ground through walls and floors, usually because the damp-proof course has failed or been bridged.

Leaks: Water escaping from pipes, radiators, appliances, baths or showers.

Penetrating damp, rising damp and leaks are problems with the building, so your housing provider needs to fix them. Condensation can often be eased with a few changes at home, but if mould keeps coming back, report it anyway.

 

How to prevent damp and mould

A few small habits can make a real difference to how much moisture builds up in your home. We know money's tight for a lot of people right now, so most of these cost very little or nothing at all.

This quick animation covers some step you can take in your day-to-day life to reduce the risk of damp and mould in your home.

 

Let the air in

  • Open a window for a little while each day, especially after cooking or a shower
  • Keep trickle vents open. They're the small slotted vents at the top of your window frames
  • Switch on extractor fans when you cook or wash, and leave them running for 15 to 20 minutes after
  • Give vents and fans a dust now and then, and let your housing provider know if one stops working

Cut down moisture where it starts

Cooking: Pop lids on pans, use the cooker hood if you have one and keep the kitchen door shut

Showers and baths: Close the bathroom door while you wash, then give the tiles and screen a quick wipe

Washing: Dry clothes outside when the weather lets you. Indoors, use an airer in a room with the door closed and the window open, and try not to dry things on radiators

Tumble dryers: If yours is a vented dryer, make sure the hose goes outside. Heat pump dryers collect the water instead and are usually cheaper to run

 

Keep things dry and moving

  • Wipe condensation off windows, sills and cold walls each morning, then wring the cloth out down the sink
  • Leave a small gap, about 5cm, between furniture and outside walls so air can get round
  • Try not to overfill wardrobes and cupboards, especially ones on outside walls
  • If a room gets a lot of condensation, a dehumidifier can help

Keep your home warm

Cold rooms are much more likely to get condensation. If you can, keep the heating on low and steady through the colder months instead of blasting it in short bursts. Worried about energy bills? Have a chat with your housing provider, as there may be support available.

 

How to safely remove mould

Small patches of mould caused by condensation can usually be cleaned off at home. Just remember to report it and take your photos first. Cleaning gets rid of the mould you can see, but it'll come back unless the moisture causing it is sorted.

If the mould covers a large area, keeps coming back or seems to be linked to a leak or damp coming through the walls, leave it to the professionals. Let your housing provider know and they'll arrange a proper treatment.

Protect yourself: Put on rubber gloves, a face mask and some eye protection. Open a window, but keep the doors to other rooms shut so spores don't spread.

Clear the space: Move furniture, bedding and soft furnishings out of the way if you can. Don't brush or hoover the mould, as that can send spores into the air.

Use a mould wash: Choose a fungicidal mould wash with a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approval number on the label, and follow the instructions. Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach, as this can give off harmful fumes.

Wipe and bin it: Use paper towels or disposable cloths and put them straight into a bin bag, then tie it up. Mould can grow on reusable cloths and sponges.

Let it dry: Give the area time to dry out completely and keep the room well aired.

Keep an eye on it: Check back every so often. If the mould returns, let your housing provider know.

If anyone in your home has asthma, allergies, a weakened immune system or a breathing condition, it's best not to clean mould yourself. Ask your housing provider for help instead. And if you're worried damp or mould is affecting your health, talk to your GP or call NHS 111.

Damp and mould FAQs

Is black mould dangerous? Mould can trigger breathing problems, allergies and asthma, and it can be more serious for young children, older people and anyone with a health condition. If you see it, report it to your housing provider.

Who is responsible for fixing damp and mould? Your housing provider is responsible for repairing the building, including leaks, rising damp and penetrating damp. You can help by ventilating your home and reporting problems early.

What is Awaab's Law? Awaab's Law sets legal timescales for social landlords to investigate and fix damp, mould and other serious hazards. It applies to social housing in England from October 2025, with similar rules in Scotland from October 2026.

Should I clean mould before reporting it? Take photos first, then report it. Photos help your housing provider see how bad it was and find the cause.

How do I stop condensation on my windows? Keep trickle vents open, use extractor fans, open windows after cooking or showering and wipe windows dry each morning.