Damp and mould: a black spot in lettings?

Does the UK really have a damp and mould issue? Figures do suggest homes are blighted by crippling condensation and tell-tale black patches, and the problem is especially prevalent in the private rental sector. Let’s look at the statistics.

The most recent English Housing Survey (2023-2024) revealed 1.3 million dwellings (5%) had damp problems present in one or more rooms. Private rented and local authority dwellings were the most likely to be damp (both 9%), followed by housing association dwellings (5%) and owner-occupied properties (4%).

Additionally, a 2024 insight report by The Property Ombudsman, titled Mould, Damp and Condensation in the Private Rented Sector, referenced the following: a Welsh Housing Conditions Survey showed 13% of privately rented dwellings in Wales had damp, while Scottish Government statistics reported 10% of all properties had damp and mould.

A new law is on its way

The issues presented by serious mould and damp have been recognised. Awaab’s Law was introduced to the social housing sector specifically in response to the death of toddler Awaab Ishak, who died as a result of prolonged exposure to mould. Soon, possibly in 2027, Awaab’s Law will also apply to England’s private rental market as a way of forcing landlords (and their letting agents) to respond to and make repairs within set timeframes when emergency and serious hazards are identified.

Wales and Scotland are also in the process of mandating how mould and damp are tackled in privately rented properties. Elements of Scotland’s Housing Bill and the Welsh Housing Quality Standard are expected to closely mirror Awaab’s Law.

Prevention is better than cure

Understanding how to prevent damp and mould is critical ahead of legislative changes. The good news? It’s rarely rocket science. It’s usually one of two sources and their cause neatly falls into two camps: lifestyle and structural.

Lifestyle

Broadly speaking, our daily routines result in us producing warm, humid air and excess moisture. Often referred to as ‘lifestyle condensation’, this is something tenants need to take responsibility for. 

Boiling a kettle or pan of water, showering, taking baths, drying wet washing inside and just breathing all produce lifestyle condensation. Tenants can reduce humid air and excess moisture by: 

• using lids when cooking

• turning on extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens

• opening windows daily to let humid air escape

• keeping trickle vents open

• using a tumble dryer

• drying washing outside 

• setting up a dehumidifier in any room used to dry wet washing

In cold weather, tenants can also reduce the chances of humid air coming into contact with cold surfaces, which creates condensation, by consistently heating their home to between 18°C and 21°C. It’s also important to pull furniture away from walls – a small breathing gap will stop moisture getting trapped and breeding mould.

Structural

Landlords are required by law to provide tenants with a safe, secure and risk-free home. No amount of trickle vents or dehumidifiers will, however, resolve structural faults that cause water ingress. Tell-tale signs of penetrating or rising damp include mould concentrated in the top corners of rooms or just above skirting boards, bubbling paint, peeling wallpaper, crumbling plaster, rotten wood, water stains and a musty, damp smell. 

Landlords should inspect the structure of their property on a regular basis. The focus should be on:

• exterior walls (cracked or missing mortar, salt/efflorescence tide marks and concentrated moss growth)

• rainwater goods (blocked or broken gutters, downpipes and drains)

• roofs (missing or broken roof tiles/lead flashing and damaged chimney stacks)

• lofts (wet insulation, tanks that are covered in condensation, presence of spray foam insulation and rotten timbers)

• damp-proof course (missing or damaged elements and salt/efflorescence tide marks)

• windows and doors (broken openings, blown double glazing, perished seals and lack of trickle vents)

• ventilation (blocked air vents and broken extractor fans)

If you would like advice on how to keep a property damp and mould free, please get in touch.