Damp, mould and your health
What your landlord owes you, and what to do when damp or mould is affecting your health.
Guides in this topic
37 plain-English guides. 3 to 5 minute reads, no jargon, free to use.
- 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.2 min 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.2 min 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.2 min read
- How do damp and mould affect your health?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.2 min read
- Can I claim for stress or anxiety caused by housing disrepair?Yes. The harm to your mental health from a damp, cold, or unsafe home can count towards a disrepair claim. Here is how it works and what proof helps.2 min read
- What is the Fitness for Human Habitation Act?The 2018 Act lets tenants in England sue their landlord directly if their home is unfit to live in. Plain English summary, with the 29 hazards explained.2 min read
- Broken extractor fan and poor ventilationA broken extractor fan or poor ventilation can cause damp and mould. Your landlord must keep ventilation working. Here is what to do and how we can help.2 min read
- My landlord painted over the mould instead of fixing it: what now?One of the most common complaints we hear: a contractor visits, applies mould paint or a bleach wash, and marks the job "completed". Within weeks, sometimes3 min read
- Mould on my window frames and seals, what should I do?Mould on window frames usually means condensation, poor ventilation, or failed seals. Your landlord may still be responsible. Here is what to do.2 min read
- I can smell damp but I can't see mould, what does that mean?A damp smell without visible mould often means hidden damp behind walls, under floors, or in the structure. Here is what to do.3 min read
- Complete guide to Awaab's LawEverything tenants need to know about Awaab's Law: the deadlines, who it covers, what counts as an emergency, how to use it, and what to do if your landlord misses the clock.8 min read
- My landlord knows about the damp but still hasn't fixed it: what can I do?Once your landlord knows about the damp, the law says they must act. If they have not fixed it within a reasonable time, you can escalate to the council and,4 min read
- My landlord says the damp is my fault: what do I do?Landlords often blame tenants for damp and mould. Sometimes they are partly right. But a structural cause underneath puts the legal duty on the landlord,3 min read
- There has been a flood in my home: what is my landlord responsible for?Flooding from inside the building, a burst pipe, a leak from the flat above, a failing roof, means the landlord must repair the structural damage. Flooding3 min read
- My landlord wants me to pay for a damp survey: do I have to?Landlords sometimes ask tenants to foot the bill for a damp or mould survey. That can feel fair, above all when the landlord says they just want to "find out3 min read
- The mould in my home is making my child ill: what can I do?Finding mould in your home is distressing. When your child is unwell and you suspect the mould, it becomes urgent. Damp and mould can trigger and worsen3 min read
- My child has been diagnosed with asthma: can I claim if mould caused it?It is scary when your child is told they have asthma. Maybe you have had damp or mould in your rented home. You may think the two are linked. You could well4 min read
- Penetrating damp and rising damp: what is the difference and why does it matter for a claim?When you report damp to your landlord, they may say it is just "condensation" or a "lifestyle issue". They may say the damp is not their problem. Or they may4 min read
- Damp, mould and cold homes: risks for older tenantsDamp, mould and cold are dangerous for anyone. But older people face higher health risks than most. If you are an older tenant, or you are helping an elderly4 min read
- Damp and mould: COPD and emphysema in a rented homeChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition that makes breathing hard. Emphysema is one of the main conditions within COPD.3 min read
- Damp and mould during pregnancy: risks and your rightsLiving with damp and mould harms health at any time. During pregnancy the risks are greater. Here is why damp and mould are more dangerous during pregnancy.4 min read
- Condensation or damp: what is the difference and who is responsible?Condensation is moisture from the air settling on cold surfaces. Damp is water getting in through a fault: a leak, rising damp, or penetrating damp. The4 min read
- The link between damp, mould, and mental healthA damp or mouldy home does not just harm your body. The toll on your mind can run deep and last. Below: how poor housing hits mental health, and your rights3 min read
- Hidden mould behind furniture: what tenants need to knowMould is not always easy to spot. It grows behind wardrobes, under carpets, inside cupboards, and behind large furniture set against cold walls. By the time3 min read
- Rising damp: signs, causes, and what your landlord must doRising damp travels up from the ground into the walls of a building. It differs from condensation and penetrating damp. Naming it right matters when deciding3 min read
- Black mould: health risks for tenants and what you can doBlack mould can harm your health. Official guidance links damp and mould in England to thousands of cases of asthma and chest infections each year. The worst4 min read
- Damp survey: what to expect and how it helps your caseA damp survey is a check of your home by a trained professional. They find the type of damp, what is causing it, and how to fix it. It is strong proof for a4 min read
- Mould on clothes and belongings: can I claim compensation?Mould from damp walls and ceilings does not just harm the home itself. It spreads onto furniture, clothes, shoes, books, and other things you own. Your4 min read
- Mould testing in rented homes: what it involves and whether you need itDo you have mould in your rented home? You may wonder if getting it tested is worth it. You may also wonder if a test will help with a complaint or a legal4 min read
- Black mould removal: advice for tenantsYou can clean small areas of black mould yourself if you use the right protection. But cleaning only hides the problem. If the mould keeps coming back, the4 min read
- Dehumidifiers in rented homes: is it the landlord's job?A damp home, or windows dripping with condensation, and someone has probably told you to buy a dehumidifier. Sometimes the landlord says it. But is that the3 min read
- Damp and mould: the risks for babies and young childrenDamp and mould hit babies and young children harder than adults. Their bodies are still growing. Their airways run smaller. They spend more time at home,3 min read
- Condensation in a rented home: who is responsible?It turns on the cause. Landlords often blame condensation on the tenant. But a fault they should fix may drive it: poor ventilation, missing extractor fans,4 min read
- Mould in the bathroom: is your landlord responsible?Often, yes. If the mould comes from a fault your landlord must fix, broken extraction, a leak, or ventilation left unfixed, it is their job to deal with. If3 min read
- Damp proof course: is your landlord responsible for repairing it?Yes. A damp proof course is part of the building's structure, so a failed or missing one causing rising damp is the landlord's to put right under their3 min read
- Dry rot: is your landlord responsible?Almost always, yes. Dry rot is structural timber decay caused by moisture getting into the building. Fixing it, and the damp behind it, falls under your3 min read
- Sick building syndrome and housing disrepair: what tenants need to knowDo you regularly feel unwell at home? Headaches, tiredness, sore eyes or throat, breathing trouble, but you feel better when you leave the house? That3 min read
Free tools that might help
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