Damp and mould can cause breathing problems, chest infections, and worse asthma. They are a serious hazard and your landlord must act. Here is what to do.
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Direct Answer
Damp and mould can harm your breathing and make you ill. They are linked to chest infections, worse asthma, and other breathing problems, and they are most dangerous for babies, children, older people, and anyone already unwell. They are a serious hazard, and your landlord must deal with them.
Key facts
- Official guidance from the UK Health Security Agency and the Department of Health and Social Care links damp and mould in homes in England to around 5,000 cases of asthma and 8,500 lower respiratory infections among children and adults. Health risks of damp and mould, GOV.UK
- 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 official guidance states that damp and mould in the home can produce allergens, irritants, mould spores and other toxins that are harmful to health. Health risks of damp and mould, GOV.UK
The health risks
Living with damp and mould can lead to:
- Coughs, wheezing, and chest infections that keep coming back.
- Worse asthma, which can be very dangerous for young children.
- Sore eyes, a blocked or runny nose, and skin problems.
- Sleep problems and stress from living in a cold, damp home.
In December 2020, a two-year-old boy named Awaab Ishak died after long exposure to mould in his home. His death led to Awaab's Law, which now makes social landlords act fast on hazards like this.
What the law says
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 makes your landlord responsible for keeping the home in repair. If you rent from a council or housing association, Awaab's Law also applies. Since 27 October 2025, they must look at a serious hazard within 10 working days, give you a written summary within 3 working days after that, and begin the work within 5 working days of the investigation (a 12-week backstop applies to larger jobs). An emergency must be made safe within 24 hours.
What to do
- Report the damp and mould to your landlord in writing today. Keep a copy.
- Take dated photos of every patch.
- See your doctor if anyone is unwell, and ask for a short note.
- Do not just paint over mould. It comes back if the cause is not fixed.
If your landlord does nothing
A no-win-no-fee claim is one route open to you.
- A no-win-no-fee claim: a panel solicitor takes your case. If you do not win, you pay nothing. If you win, you pay an agreed fee out of your compensation, never out of your own pocket, and we explain it clearly before you start.
Support for Tenants is a regulated company, not a solicitor. Panel solicitors run the cases.
Read more about damp and mould claims or your rights as a tenant.
Talk to someone
If damp and mould are making your home unsafe, call us free on 0800 030 4669.
Sources
- Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home (GOV.UK)
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Awaab's Law: guidance for social landlords (GOV.UK)
- English Housing Survey (GOV.UK)
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 20 May 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.
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