Damp and mould guide for tenants and landlords
Who is responsible?
Damp and mould issues are everyone’s problem. Tackling these issues as soon as possible protects tenant health, but also limits damage to the building.
If you’re a tenant, you must tell your landlord about damp and mould problems as soon as you notice them.
Do this in writing so you have a record, in case anything goes wrong. The quicker your landlord knows about them, the faster they will get sorted.
If you’re a landlord, address these issues as soon as you can. This protect your tenants and saves money on repairing the property. Ensure your tenants know how to cut condensation, reducing the risk of damp and mould developing.
If you prefer, you can download the information on this page as a PDF:
Lifestyle choices
Sometimes tenants are blamed for creating damp and mould problems through lifestyle choices. Washing, cooking, and other everyday activities are considered the sole reason for damp and mould.
Condensation does not help, but it’s unlikely to be the only cause. Anything that means moisture cannot leave the home leads to damp and mould. This might be disrepair, poor ventilation, inadequate heating, or energy efficiency problems.
Government guidance states that it is a landlord’s responsibility to identify the cause and fix it.
What causes condensation?
Indoors, when moist air finds a cooler surface, the moisture changes into droplets. It settles onto these surfaces as condensation.
Condensation problems happen when there’s too much moisture in the air, where it cannot leave your home, or both. This leads to condensation damp, and then mould.
Exactly how much condensation stays in your home depends on three things:
- The amount of moisture produced indoors
- The temperatures in your home
- How well your home is ventilated
Condensation damp will be a problem until all three factors are in balance.
While turning up the heating can help, it won’t usually fix condensation damp by itself. Improving ventilation, and curbing the moisture production will help solve condensation damp.
Types of damp
Alongside condensation damp, three other types can wreak havoc in your home.
It’s worth knowing that one or more types can affect your home at once. Ensure you rule out all the possible causes.
When does damp turn to mould?
Once damp is a problem, mould is not far behind. Poor ventilation and extra moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for mould spores.
It’s worth getting a hygrometer to keep an eye on moisture levels in your home. They measure room temperatures and humidity, and the highs and lows of both.
Humidity levels should average between 40% and 65% indoors. Expect humidity in kitchens and bathrooms to be a little higher than other rooms.
Mould spores multiply when relative humidity levels reach between 70% and 80%. Cooler temperatures (below 16°C) can also encourage mould growth.
How to prevent damp and mould
Unavoidable household tasks add moisture to your home. This includes cooking, cleaning, and drying clothes.
It’s impossible to get rid of moisture altogether, and it wouldn’t be healthy to try. But altering habits cuts down on condensation, reducing the risk of damp and mould.
Don’t underestimate the difference you can make by making a few small changes. Drying clothes outdoors prevents creating 10 to 15 litres of moisture a week indoors.
Wipe away condensation
Always wipe condensation off surfaces you can see, especially doors and windows. Opening doors and windows may not be enough by itself.
This prolongs the life of wooden doors and window frames, too.
How to treat mould
It’s important that you treat mould quickly. Health risks increase as the mould grows.
If mould spreads to more than one square meter, PPE equipment is needed for removal. Seek expert advice if this is the case.
Bleaching, sweeping or vacuuming are not effective methods of removing mould. Using bleach will eliminate some discoloration, but may not lift all the mould.
Brushing or vacuuming will release mould spores into the air, and can enter your lungs.
Remove mould when it is wet. Use a fungicidal wash on affected hard surfaces. These washes contain a Health and Safety Executive approval number.
Follow the instructions exactly to prevent regrowth and to protect yourself from the chemicals. Dispose of any rags or sponges you use.
Once the area is completely dry, paint over the area with fungicidal paint. Avoid painting over this with normal emulsion, as this will stop it from working.
Mould can grow on soft furnishings and furniture too. Dry clean mouldy clothes, and shampoo any affected carpets or rugs.
Furniture should not press against walls, as mould can grow on them. Move furniture about a foot away from walls to improve airflow.
Central government housing grants are available to make homes warmer and more efficient.
These grant schemes include energy efficient measures such as insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps, depending on the property's suitability.
No matter if you’re a landlord, property manager, or tenant, damp and mould can be tricky.
The Healthy Homes team is here to help. If you have any questions, or you would like some advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us.