Damp and mould

You don't need to live with damp and mould

It’s not uncommon for any home to have small areas of damp, especially in the colder months. Most of the time, this is down to an increase in condensation – moisture can build up in the air around your windows as the weather gets chilly.

Keeping on top of damp and mould will make your home a happier and healthier place to be. There are a few simple changes you can make to your everyday routine, but if it starts to get out of control, we can help.

Ventilating your home

Making sure clean, fresh air can flow freely around your home is one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of damp.

Trickle vents

If you have trickle vents above your windows, keep them open for as long as you can. They allow air which is full of moisture to leave your home and let fresh air back in.

Extractor fans

If you have an extractor fan, switch it on while cooking on the hob, to help draw steam out of the room. It’s the same when taking a shower or bath - keep your window open slightly or switch your extractor fan on so that the moisture in the air is taken outside.

If you're living with damp or mould and think it's because of a lack of extractor fan, please let us know.

Your furniture

Try not to arrange furniture right in the corners of the room. Keeping big items like beds or sofas right up against the wall means that air can’t flow around them, and that’s exactly where damp or mould can start.

Drying clothes

Dry your clothes on an airer, with the windows slightly open, or outside if you can (a bit tricky in the winter, we know!). Whatever you do, please don’t dry them on the radiator, as this is a sure-fire way of generating excess moisture in the air.

Could it be a leak?

If you’re keeping on top of ventilation in your home but you’re still finding damp, it could be due to a leak. Start by checking pipes and under sinks to see if there are any obvious leaks. It’s not always easy to tell, but other kinds of damp, such as rain or plumbing leaks will usually leave a tide mark. You should also look outside to see if there are any slates missing from the roof, cracked gutters or rainwater pipes.

Heating your home

Air can only hold a certain amount of water vapour, and the warmer it is, the more it can hold. If the air is cooled by contact with a cold surface, such as a mirror, window or a wall, the vapour will turn into droplets of condensation. So by keeping your home between 18 – 21 degrees all the time, you’re less likely to get condensation. However, due to the cost of energy at the moment, we know this may not always be possible. If you're living with damp and you're struggling to afford to keep your home warm, please get in touch.

How to get rid of mould

If you spot mould on your walls or ceiling, the first thing to do is to try and remove it yourself. You can buy specialist products from most supermarkets, which you’ll spray onto the mould and wipe off with a cloth. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using these products, as they can contain some very strong chemicals. There are some natural alternatives, like vinegar or baking soda mixes, but we can’t recommend them as they’re homemade.

Tell us if you're struggling

We have a specialist team who can improve the ventilation your home, and through Flagship Services we can provide additional insulation too (once the ventilation work has been carried out). We’ll respond quickly if you find a leak in your pipes or a cracked roof tile.

Usually, we can identify damp and mould when we visit your home, but there may be times where we haven’t been over in a while. If this is the case, and you’re struggling to keep on top of damp and mould, please don’t wait to let us know. You can do this online or by calling us on 0808 169 9301.

Reporting damp or mould

Looking after your health

While a lot of people won't suffer negative effects from low levels of damp or mould, some people are more sensitive than others, including:

babies, children and older people
those with respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma
those with a weakened immune system

But if you have serious concerns about your health due to mould, don't hesitate to speak to your GP or another professional healthcare provider.

NHS advice

Our commitment to you

If you're having issues with damp and mould and feel we've not supported you with resolving these, please click here find out how to make a complaint. We're on hand to support you, and will work with you to find a solution.

We know that it matters to you how we respond when you raise a repair, including damp and mould, and we’ll continue to focus on our approach to this. We've carried out a self-assessment based on the Housing Ombudsman's report into damp and mould, and you can read the outcome below.

Our commitment

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