Support for Tenants
Refer someoneStart a claim0800 030 4669

Dehumidifiers in rented homes: is it the landlord's job?

Damp, mould and your health

3 min read5 min listen

Stuck? A real person will talk it through, free. Call 0800 030 4669

Direct answer

If your home is damp or full of condensation, you may have been told to buy a dehumidifier, sometimes by the landlord. But is that the right answer, and is

On this page

If your home is damp or full of condensation, you may have been told to buy a dehumidifier, sometimes by the landlord. But is that the right answer, and is it actually the landlord's responsibility? We look at what a dehumidifier can and cannot do, who is responsible for damp in a rented home, and what your landlord should be doing instead.

What does a dehumidifier do?

A dehumidifier draws moisture out of the air and collects it as water. It can help reduce condensation and slow the growth of mould in enclosed spaces. However, it does not fix the cause of the problem, it only manages the symptom.

If your home is producing too much moisture because the ventilation is poor, the heating is inadequate, or the property has a structural damp problem, a dehumidifier will not address any of those root causes.

Is the landlord responsible for providing a dehumidifier?

No, a landlord is not generally required to provide a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier is a temporary management tool, not a repair.

However, your landlord is legally required to:

  • Keep the property in a reasonable state of repair (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985)
  • Ensure the property is fit for human habitation, which includes having adequate ventilation and heating (Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018)
  • Fix problems with the structure, extractor fans, or ventilation systems that are causing excess moisture

If a landlord gives you a dehumidifier instead of fixing an underlying problem, that does not discharge their legal duty to repair.

When does condensation become the landlord's problem?

Condensation becomes a landlord's responsibility when it is caused by a failure in the property rather than the way you live. Signs that the landlord may be responsible include:

  • Extractor fans that do not work or have never been fitted in kitchens or bathrooms
  • Windows that cannot be opened
  • Heating systems that are too expensive to run or that do not heat the property adequately
  • Cold walls caused by poor insulation or an unheated property
  • An overcrowded property where condensation is inevitable regardless of how tenants behave

If the property has structural damp, rising damp or penetrating damp, a dehumidifier will not help and the landlord must carry out proper repairs.

Can I ask the landlord to pay for the electricity I spend running a dehumidifier?

If the landlord has failed to fix a problem that you have been managing by running a dehumidifier, you may be able to include the cost of the electricity as part of a disrepair claim. Keep records of any costs you have incurred.

What should I do if the landlord tells me to buy a dehumidifier?

If your landlord tells you the problem is your fault and suggests you buy a dehumidifier:

  1. Ask the landlord to inspect the property and put their findings in writing
  2. Report any specific defects, such as a broken extractor fan or lack of ventilation, in writing
  3. Contact the council's environmental health team if the landlord does not respond, they can inspect the property and assess whether it meets the required standard
  4. Keep records of any mould, moisture readings if you have them, and all correspondence

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We handle housing disrepair claims. If your landlord has told you to manage damp with a dehumidifier rather than fixing the underlying cause, and mould or dampness has affected your health or living conditions, you may have a claim.

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

Related articles

Last updated15 June 2026
Reading time3 min read
Listening time5 min listen

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.

By: Support for Tenants

Published:

~3 min read

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.

Was this helpful?

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.

Call 0800 030 4669Start a claim