Housing - Damp and Mould

Damp and mould within the home can produce allergens, irritants, mould spores and other toxins that are harmful to health. Most people encounter the substances produced by damp and mould by breathing them in. This means they mainly affect the airways and lungs. The effects of damp and mould can lead to serious illnesses and, in the most severe cases, even death.

The presence of damp and mould can also affect people’s mental health. This could be due to worries about the health impacts of damp and mould, unpleasant living conditions, and destruction of property and belongings, among other concerns.

Damp and mould can cause disease and ill health in anyone, but children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to more severe impacts.

There are a number of legal standards that private and social landlords must adhere to in relation to damp and mould in rented homes. Local councils enforce standards in the private rented sector and social housing owned by housing associations and other private registered providers.

In October 2021, the Housing Ombudsman released a spotlight report titled "It’s Not Lifestyle", emphasising the need for landlords not to blame residents for damp and mould issues and to be responsive to reports of damp and mould and to take the necessary action to fix structural problems or faulty installations that have contributed to damp and mould occurring in the property.

By having MECC conversations about mould and damp we can enable people to take steps to improve their health and wellbeing.

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

Have you noticed any signs of damp and mould in your home?

Explain that if there is evidence of dampness in a building, such as visible mould, mould odour or water damage, including condensation, this may indicate the need to address these issues to protect their health. Emphasise that even if visible mould is not present, dampness alone can increase the risk of health problems.

You can use this link to show the person visual examples of damp and mould.

Would you like some further information about how to sort out damp and mould problems?

If yes, then: Do you rent, own your house or have another housing arrangement?

Explain that there are some slight variations in actions depending on whether the property is rented and who the landlord is, these are shown in the ASSIST and ACT sections.

Assist

Explain that damp and mould harms health

Explain that damp and mould pose a risk to everyone’s health and should always be acted on quickly, however, some people with certain health conditions (including lung, heart, skin, allergies and immune system conditions) children, pregnant women and older adults are at even greater risk of more severe health impacts.

Damp and mould primarily affect the airways and lungs, but they can also affect the eyes and skin. The respiratory effects of damp and mould can cause serious illness and, in the most severe cases, death.

Encourage tenants to report damp and mould to the landlord

Advise people who rent their homes to report damp and mould directly to their landlord and keep records of requests and responses. The Housing Charity ‘Shelter’ have a step-by-step advice page on reporting damp and mould to the landlord - Please see ACT section for further information

Explain that landlords have a legal duty to ensure their homes are safe and well-maintained, and should typically respond in a reasonable timeframe, such as 3-5 working days.

Advise tenants how they can escalate their concerns

If a landlord hasn’t responded and acted in a reasonable timeframe, then tenants can escalate their concerns either by raising a complaint or by asking the local authority to enforce action. The Housing Charity ‘Shelter’ have step-by-step advice on how to do this - Please see ACT section for further information.

Acknowledge worries that tenants may have about reporting damp and mould to their landlord.

Tenants may have worries about raising damp and mould issues with their landlord, for example if they think this could impact on their tenancy or relationship with the landlord or if they are concerned that they may be blamed. Advise the tenant that it is a landlord’s responsibility to find out what’s causing the damp and that they can speak to Shelter first for independent advice, especially If they feel there is a risk of eviction. See ACT section for further information.

Advise those who own their home that they are responsible for resolving problems.

For owner-occupiers, resolving damp and mould issues is the homeowner’s responsibility. Improving ventilation, heating, and insulation can help prevent problems. Support may also be available through local home improvement schemes. Further guidance is available from the Property Care Association – See ACT section for further information.

Act

Offer assistance to those who need help to report damp and mould

Most tenants who want to report damp and mould to their landlord will be able to do this independently if they have sufficient information about how they can do this. There may be some cases where individuals are unable to advocate for themselves, for example due to poor literacy or lack of English language skills or lack of access to the internet. In these cases, you could offer to make a report to the landlord or escalate the concern on the tenant’s behalf. It is important to ensure that the tenant provides consent for this. Letter templates are available from Shelter (Housing Charity).

Signpost to national support services and advice

In the UK, several organisations offer advice and support to help people to address damp and mould problems:

Shelter (The Housing and Homelessness charity)

Shelter has launched a new online tool filled with practical advice and resources which covers:

Spotting Damp and Mould - early signs and health risks
Knowing Responsibilities - who is response for fixing damp and mould
Engaging with Landlord - includes letter templates
What landlords should do - the steps landlords should take
Handling serious situations - complaints and escalation

Private tenants can access the tool here

Council or social housing tenants can assess the tool here.

Shelter also provides support and information for tenants concerned about revenge eviction if they ask for repairs.

Citizens Advice

If you have damp or mould in your rented home you can access support and advice

Property care Association

Help and information for homeowners about condensation, damp and mould.

Housing Ombudsman Service

All the information that residents and landlords will find useful on this key topic including guidance, spotlight reports and training options for landlords.

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/

Latest Government Guidance

The latest government guidance: Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home - GOV.UK.

New Requirements coming in from October: Awaab’s Law to force landlords to fix dangerous homes - GOV.UK

Affordable warmth support and information on MECC Link

https://www.mecclink.co.uk/yorkshire-humber/affordable-warmth/