Housing

Damp and mould

Find out how to prevent condensation, damp and mould. Plus when to call your landlord and how we can help.

What is the difference between condensation, damp, and mould?

Condensation happens when warm, moist air settles on a cold surface. Condensation is common during winter. It appears as water droplets on a surface like windows or walls. If condensation is excessive, it can cause other problems like damp and mould.

Damp occurs when walls or ceilings have too much moisture. This affects the building’s material and can become a structural issue. Surfaces with damp may look darker and be cold or wet. Types of damp include:

  • Rising damp - water soaking a wall from the bottom.
  • Penetrating damp - water entering from outside due to structural issues, like a broken gutter or cracks in the exterior.
  • Traumatic damp – water in a wall from leaks, burst pipes or flooding.

Mould is an organism that grows in moist environments and grows with condensation or damp. It appears as dark fuzzy spots and has a musty odour. Extended exposure to excessive mould is a risk to our health, so mould must be handled correctly.

  • Example of rising damp patch along the bottom of the wall
  • Example of mould growing on wall and ceiling
  • Example of excessive window condensation causing mould

Health dangers of damp and mould

Damp and mould can cause or worsen respiratory disease or other health conditions. Babies or young children, adults with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and elderly people are more vulnerable to the negative health effects from exposure to damp and mould.

Preventing condensation, damp, and mould

Everyday activities in our home, like breathing, cooking and bathing, can cause condensation. It is important that you manage condensation to prevent problems with your health. See our leaflet for ways to reduce condensation and prevent damp and mould ADD LINK.

If you still have damp and mould, report it to your landlord and say what you have done to stop it.

What must my landlord do to help?

A landlord cannot blame damp and mould on ‘lifestyle’. Instead, they should address the underlying cause. Landlords must take your issue seriously and tackle it quickly. If you believe your landlord has not responded to your reports appropriately, then contact Private Sector Housing for support.

For tenants in social housing, contact your landlord by email, online resident portal, or phone to make a service request. Your landlord will confirm it has received the complaint and explain the next steps.

How we can help

If you have damp or mould, tell your landlord first. If they do not resolve it, report it to us using one of the option below.