Landlords sometimes ask tenants to foot the bill for a damp or mould survey. This can feel like a fair request, especially if the landlord says they just
On this page
Landlords sometimes ask tenants to foot the bill for a damp or mould survey. This can feel like a fair request, especially if the landlord says they just want to "find out what is going on." It is not fair, and you do not have to pay.
The short answer
No. If you have reported damp or mould and your landlord wants you to pay for a survey to investigate it, you do not have to. The cost of investigating a repair the landlord is legally required to carry out falls on the landlord, not you.
Key facts
- The 2024 to 2025 English Housing Survey found about 5% of homes in England, around 1.4 million, had a problem with damp, most common in privately rented homes (10%). English Housing Survey 2024-25, GOV.UK
- The same survey found serious condensation (3% of homes) was more common than penetrating damp (2%) or rising damp (1%). English Housing Survey 2024-25, GOV.UK
Why the landlord is responsible for the survey cost
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must keep the structure and exterior of your home in good repair. This includes the roof, walls, windows, and anything else that allows damp to get in.
Investigating whether there is a problem is part of fulfilling that legal duty. You cannot separate the investigation from the repair and then hand the bill for one to the tenant.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 protects you
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 bans landlords from charging tenants for services that are not listed in that Act. Commissioning a damp survey is not on that list. If your landlord tries to charge you, they are breaking the law.
This applies whether they ask you to pay a surveyor directly or try to add the cost to your rent or deduct it from your deposit later.
What if you have already paid for a survey yourself?
If your landlord refused to act and you arranged and paid for a survey yourself to get answers, you may be able to recover that cost. It can form part of a housing disrepair claim as a special damage, alongside any compensation for the damp or mould itself.
Keep the invoice, the surveyor's report, and any correspondence showing your landlord refused to commission a survey despite your reports. That paper trail is important.
What you should do now
Write to your landlord by email, so you have a record, and state clearly that you reported the damp or mould on a specific date, that investigating and repairing it is their legal duty under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and that you will not be paying for any survey. Ask them to arrange and pay for one themselves within a reasonable timeframe, typically 14 to 28 days depending on the severity of the problem.
If they continue to refuse or insist you pay, this strengthens any claim you later make.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
If your landlord is refusing to act on damp or mould, or is trying to make you pay for a survey that is their responsibility, call us on 0800 030 4669.
No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Sources
- Tenant Fees Act 2019 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
Related articles
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
Related guides
Can I sue my landlord for mould?
Yes. If your landlord ignores damp and mould, you can claim. Here is the law and how it works.
Read
How to report damp to your landlord (and make it stick)
The exact steps to report damp in writing, what evidence to keep, and what your landlord must do under Awaab's Law. 5-minute read.
Read
Is condensation the landlord's fault or mine?
Often the landlord's. If condensation comes from poor ventilation, cold walls, or a building fault, it is their job to fix. Here is how to tell.
Read
Still stuck?
Call us free or start a claim online. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing.