Damp & Mould

Managing Damp, Mould, and Condensation in Your Home

Understanding and managing damp, mould, and condensation is essential for a healthy living environment. Here’s a brief guide for our residents:

• Condensation: It’s the moisture in the air that appears on cold surfaces, especially during cold weather. Unlike other forms of dampness, it doesn’t leave a tidemark.
• Damp: Keep an eye out for any signs of dampness in corners and cold areas.
• Mould: Regularly clean and ventilate areas prone to mould to prevent growth.

Your Rights, Our Responsibility

In line with new legal protections – known as Awaab’s Law – if you report a hazard such as damp, mould, or any emergency risk, landlords must act within strict timeframes. Emergency hazards must be made safe within 24 hours, and significant damp or mould problems must be investigated within 10 working days. You must receive a written summary of the investigation within 3 working days, and repairs to make your home safe should start within 5 working days. If your home cannot be made safe quickly, landlords must offer suitable temporary accommodation. Importantly, residents cannot be treated unfairly for reporting problems, and you have the right to complain if landlords do not meet these duties.

Once you let us know you are concerned about a potential case of damp, mould or condensation in your home, English Rural’s identification and remediation process will begin. To read about what happens next and what we need from you in this process, please download our Damp & Mould Identification and Remediation: Next Steps advice flyer.

For a comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions on how to effectively manage these issues, please download our Guide to Damp, Mould, and Condensation.