Damp & mould: prevention tips & landlord advice

Condensation, damp and mould. It’s the trio of seasonal afflictions that can cause friction between tenants and landlords. It’s a serious matter, especially as Awaab’s Law will apply in the English private rental sector in the near future (predicted by 2027). Scottish Government is introducing similar measures as part of its Housing Bill, while Wales will respond via its Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

This law will prescribe how landlords and their letting agents respond to hazards, with severe damp classed as an emergency hazard, and persistent damp and mould classed as a significant hazard. With damp and mould having the ability to seriously impact the health of tenants, there is no reason for everyone to wait until Awaab’s Law is introduced to follow best practice.

Preventing condensation, damp and mould is a joint effort, with both the tenant and the landlord sharing responsibility. Here’s some practical advice you can follow:

Prevention tips for tenants

Tenants are responsible for controlling ’lifestyle’ condensation, which is produced when performing daily activities. 

• In kitchens: boiling water creates steam, which turns into condensation when it hits cold surfaces. Always use an extractor fan when cooking, keep lids on pans of boiling water and reduce the amount of time a kettle boils by filling it with just enough water.

• In bedrooms: we lose between 0.5 and 1 litre of water during 8 hours of sleep via respiratory water loss – the most common reason why bedroom windows condensate overnight. This can be compensated by keeping trickle vents open, leaving a window ajar overnight or airing the room and wiping away condensation upon waking.

• In bathrooms: bathrooms are a real hot spot for damp and mould as there are high levels of humidity, steam and contrasting temperatures. Ensure any extractor fan is turned on when bathing, open a window to let out steam and don’t let wet towels hang around.

• Laundry: drying wet washing inside should be avoided (using a tumble dryer or drying outside is preferable) but if this isn’t possible, a dehumidifier should be placed in the room where laundry is hung.

• Wall clearance: tenants should leave a clear gap between items of furniture and walls, especially cold outside walls. Bringing sofas, wardrobes, beds and drawer units a few inches forward will stop warm air from getting trapped against a cool surface. 

• Ambient heat: keeping a home consistently warm will also reduce condensation, so try and keep the property at an even, steady temperature (between 18°C and 21°C) during cold, wet weather.

• Reporting early: some instances of damp and mould can be attributed to structural issues and need the attention of the landlord. If you have taken the precautions outlined above but still have damp and mould, alert the letting agent or landlord as soon as possible.

Advice for landlords

Landlords who don’t address damp and mould may breach the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Section 11), the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Reduce risks by undertaking the following:

• Educate tenants: communicate to tenants that they are responsible for limiting ‘lifestyle’ condensation, sending them regular reminders – especially at the start of autumn.

• Ensure everything is working inside: repair or replace ventilations systems – window openings, trickle vents and extractor fans – and service the boiler so tenants can warm the property adequately.

• Provide tenants with a dehumidifier: a plug-in dehumidifier is a good investment as it removes excess moisture from the air, helping to prevent mould and mildew forming. Providing one to your tenants removes any worry that they won’t go out and buy one themselves.

• Undertake seasonal checks: rising damp, penetrating damp and persistent mould are usually caused by structural issues, which the landlord is responsible for. Seasonal checks should include the damp-proof course, roofs, lofts, gutters, drains and external walls. 

• Red flags include leaves and mud that block the flow of water, excessive moss growth on outside walls, broken or missing gutters/downpipes, missing or damaged roof tiles, loose or damaged mortar/led flashing, and mould speckles or rot on timber structures.

• Take prompt action: if a tenant reports any damp or mould, or patches are noticed during an inspection, don’t delay treatment. Wiping away mould and damp is rarely a cure, so treat the root cause to protect everyone.

If you have any concerns about condensation, mould or damp, please notify us as soon as possible.