Dealing with damp, condensation, and mould - our commitment to you:
We’re committed to providing safe and healthy living conditions for our tenants.
Damp, condensation, and mould can affect quality of life and could cause serious health problems- which is why it’s important to know some of the common causes/signs of issues and how to resolve them.
There are many things you (as our tenant) and we (as your landlord) can do to tackle issues related to damp, condensation, and mould.
Our short video brings together details on things you can do to prevent and/or deal with issues, along with how to tell us if you’re concerned. You can also scroll down to learn more.
What are the different types of damp?
All homes are at risk of damp and mould, especially during the winter months. Excessive moisture around the home can cause these problems.
By understanding the different types of damp and their possible causes, you can work out what action to take.
Condensation:
Condensation happens in most homes. It appears when warm, moist air inside the house meets a cold surface like a window or wall.
Everyday activities such as cooking, bathing and drying clothes indoors create moisture. Over time, this can lead to black mould on walls, wallpaper, paint or plaster.
Condensation is most common in colder months. You’ll usually see it in room corners, north-facing walls, windows, and places with poor airflow, such as behind wardrobes or beds.
Penetrating damp:
Penetrating damp is caused by a problem outside the home – such as cracked brickwork, broken render, gaps in the mortar, or missing roof tiles.
These faults let rainwater get into the building. It often shows up as a damp, wet‑looking patch on walls after rain. Black mould may appear in the affected area.
Rising damp (internal or external):
Rising damp happens when moisture from the ground travels up through the walls.
It occurs when the damp proof course (DPC) is damaged, bridged, or missing. A DPC is a waterproof layer built into a wall just above ground level to stop moisture rising.
Rising damp only affects basements and ground‑floor rooms. It usually rises no higher than 24 inches and often leaves a ‘tidemark’ of white salts. If not treated, it can cause plaster to crumble and wallpaper to lift.
Water leaks:
Leaks from water or waste pipes – especially in kitchens and bathrooms – are fairly common.
Leaks can damage walls, ceilings and floors, inside or outside the home. The area will look and feel damp, regardless of the weather.
Checking pipework, taps, seals around baths and sinks, and external pipes such as guttering will usually help find the source of the leak.
How does damp and condensation cause mould?
In time, any areas affected by damp/condensation can attract black mould that grows on the surface.
Mould spores are invisible to the human eye and are always present in the atmosphere both inside and outside homes. They only become noticeable when they land on a damp surface, where they can grow and then multiply.
This is why – in order to be able to deal with black mould growth – it’s important to understand the causes of and ways to deal with dampness and condensation in your home.
What can I do to reduce condensation and prevent damp?
Three factors which affect the amount of condensation in a home are:
- How much moisture or water vapour is produced
- How much air circulation there is
- How warm the property is
Follow our six-step plan for reducing condensation and preventing damp:
1. Produce less moisture
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2. Remove excess moisture
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3. Ventilate to remove moisture
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4. Heat your home a little more
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5. Insulate and draught proof
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6. Deal with any black mould
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Here are five things to avoid:
- Don’t ignore issues with damp, condensation or mould, as they could cause health problems and damage your home.
- Don’t just paint over areas affected by mould, as this won’t solve the problem and could make it worse.
- Don’t use chlorine bleach to clean areas affected by mould, as this is unlikely to remove the root cause of the problem and could be dangerous to your health.
- Don’t block any vents or air vents in your home, as this will reduce ventilation and air quality.
Please speak to us if you're concerned:
If you’re concerned about issues relating to condensation, damp, and/or mould in your home, it’s best to call us on 01204 328000.
You can also tap here to see all of our main contact details.
For emergency hazards (emergency investigations):
We'll clean mould and remove any hazards within 24 hours.
For significant hazards (standard investigations):
We'll clean mould and remove any hazards within 10 days.
What happens when you tell us about damp and mould in your home:
Scroll down or watch our short video for a summary of what happens when you report damp and mould-related issues to us.
1. Tell us about it as soon as you can:
2. We'll ask you about the issues you're experiencing:
3. Our technical team will arrange an initial visit:
4. A senior colleague will review the photos from the initial visit:
5. We'll arrange a follow-up inspection where appropriate:
Please allow us access into your home:
Useful downloads:
If you’d like to keep our guidance on dealing with damp, mould, and condensation handy, you can download our ‘Keeping a healthy home’ PDF leaflet by tapping below.
An ‘Easy Read’ version of our damp and mould guidance is also available below.
