Dealing with damp in rented homes
Damp and mould has built up in our home over the winter. It started around the
windows but now it’s spread. I’ve been chasing our letting agency, who say they’ll
speak to our landlord but there’s been no action and I’m really worried about how this
might affect our health. Our tenancy agreement isn’t up for six months, what can I do?
You’ve done the right thing by reporting the issue to your letting agency. It’s not always easy
to work out the cause of damp and mould, and your landlord might suggest that something
you’re doing is contributing to it. However, your landlord will be responsible for the issue if it’s
being caused by structural problems or disrepair such as a leaking roof or bad insulation.
Damp is when an area of your property doesn’t dry out, often because it’s cold. Damp can
lead to mould, which is a fungus that grows in areas where warm damp air condenses on
cold surfaces, like window frames. On our website you can find information which will help
you work out what type of damp you have, who is responsible and what you can do about it.
You should also check your tenancy agreement for mentions of repairs and damp.
Your landlord is responsible for fixing a damp problem if it’s making your home unsafe to live
in. For example, this could be if it’s affecting your health or the health of someone living in
the property with you. Your landlord will also be responsible if the damp is related to repairs
they should have carried out, for example if the roof is damaged. They would also have to
cover the cost of repairs to any items damaged by the damp, including carpets and furniture.
One of the things that can contribute to damp and mould is condensation. One of the best
ways to prevent condensation is to keep homes well-heated and ventilated, but high heating
costs and cold weather can make this difficult for lots of us. If you’re finding it hard to insulate
and heat your home, check our website to see if you’re eligible for support.
There are steps you can take to make sure you’re not contributing to a damp problem, and
making it worse. Our website has advice on what to avoid, like drying clothes on heaters,
blocking air vents, or using portable gas heaters. However, showering, cooking, and laundry
are the kinds of things everyone expects to be able to do in their homes. If the property can’t
be heated and ventilated adequately to cope with normal day-to-day living activities, then it’s
the property that’s the problem, not your behaviour.
If your landlord is responsible for the damp in your home but doesn’t do anything about it,
there are steps you can take, like reporting them to the local authority. And as a private
renter, if you’ve got evidence from a health professional that damp is making you ill, you may
be able to get free legal advice through Legal Aid.
As a last resort, you might decide you just want to leave the property but getting out of a
tenancy agreement early can be difficult. There’s information on our website about how to go
about this but remember this can be hard and there might be things you haven’t tried yet.
If you’re feeling stuck, always speak to your local Citizens Advice or call our Adviceline on
0808 278 7867 for personalised support.