Finding mould in your home is distressing. When your child is unwell and you suspect the mould is the cause, it becomes urgent. Damp and mould can trigger
On this page
- The short answer
- Key facts
- See your doctor and ask for a written note
- If you rent from a council or housing association: Awaab's Law
- If you rent privately: the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
- Your council's environmental health team
- Document everything
- Compensation for health impact
- When should I contact Support for Tenants?
- Sources
- Related articles
Finding mould in your home is distressing. When your child is unwell and you suspect the mould is the cause, it becomes urgent. Damp and mould can trigger and worsen respiratory conditions, including asthma, and children are more vulnerable to these effects than adults. You have legal options, and there are steps you can take right now.
The short answer
This is one of the most serious housing situations a tenant can face. Get your child seen by your doctor as soon as possible, start documenting everything, and contact your landlord in writing immediately. If your landlord does not act, the law gives you and your council the power to force them to.
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
See your doctor and ask for a written note
Take your child to your doctor and explain the home conditions. Ask the doctor to note in writing that the damp or mould in the property may be contributing to your child's symptoms. This written note is important evidence for any future claim or council inspection. Keep any prescription records, referral letters, and dates of appointments.
If you rent from a council or housing association: Awaab's Law
Since 27 October 2025, Awaab's Law requires social landlords to investigate a damp and mould hazard within 10 working days of you reporting it, give you a written summary of the findings within 3 working days after that, and begin any repair work within 5 working days of the investigation finishing, with all work to begin within 12 weeks at the latest. An emergency hazard must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours.
A letter from your doctor confirming that your child's health is being affected strengthens the urgency of your report and creates a clear record of the situation.
If you rent privately: the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
This law requires all rented homes to be fit to live in at the start of the tenancy and throughout. A home with mould severe enough to cause respiratory symptoms in a child may fail this test. You can take your landlord to court under this Act without having to go through your local council first.
Your council's environmental health team
Damp and mould is a Category 1 hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) if it is likely to be prejudicial to health. Category 1 is the most serious level. Your council's environmental health team can inspect your home for free and, if they find a Category 1 hazard, they can issue your landlord with an Improvement Notice requiring repairs within a set timeframe.
Contact your local council's environmental health department and ask for an inspection. Having your doctor's letter available when you make the request will help.
Document everything
Keep a record that includes photos of the mould (dated), photos of any damage to your child's belongings or bedding, copies of every message you have sent to your landlord reporting the problem, and your landlord's responses or lack of them. Write down dates and times of any conversations. This evidence is the foundation of any claim.
Compensation for health impact
If you make a housing disrepair claim, your child's health being affected is a factor in the level of compensation the court may award. This can include general damages for the distress and suffering caused, as well as any out-of-pocket costs linked to the condition.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
If mould in your home is affecting your child's health and your landlord is not acting, please call us now 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
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, section 42, Awaab's Law (legislation.gov.uk)
- Awaab's Law: guidance for tenants in social housing (GOV.UK)
- Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) guidance (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.