Types of damp and mould and who's responsible

Damp can appear when there is too much moisture in a part of your home. Mould is a fungus that can grow because of damp conditions.

Damp and mould can be a health risk, especially for people who are very young, elderly or unwell.

Your landlord is usually responsible for fixing problems caused by damp and mould. They cannot evict you for reporting repairs or asking for repairs to be done.

Report damp and mould to your landlord as soon as you notice it to stop it getting worse.

Types of damp

Different types of damp have different causes. All types of damp should be investigated to find out what is causing it, and what is needed to fix it.

Damp is not always visible. If you can smell damp, but you cannot see any signs of it, it should be investigated.

Mould can look like black, green, or brown patches or spots. It often appears on walls, ceilings, or around windows.

Condensation

Condensation forms when there is too much moisture in the air. This can cause mould to grow. It can be worse in cold weather. Some condensation is normal, but too much condensation can cause damp and mould.

There are steps you can take to reduce condensation, such as keeping your home ventilated and heated. Check our advice on dealing with condensation in your home.

Ask your landlord to investigate if you have tried to reduce condensation, but everyday activities in your home still cause too much condensation. There may be a bigger problem that needs to be fixed.

You should be able to do activities like cooking, cleaning and showering without condensation becoming a problem. Your landlord should not blame you for substantial mould growth or damp relating to these unavoidable everyday tasks.

Check what condensation can look like

This is an example of what damp and mould caused by condensation could look like. Not every case will look like this.

Penetrating damp

This is where moisture soaks into your walls or ceilings. It usually comes from outside, but could also be coming from a neighbouring property.

You might see penetrating damp as a damp patch on your walls or ceiling, or it could cause wallpaper to peel off.

Penetrating damp can be caused by things like structural issues, such as cracked walls, and blocked guttering.

Your landlord is usually responsible for fixing these issues.

Check what penetrating damp can look like

This is an example of what damp and mould caused by penetrating damp could look like. Not every case will look like this.

Rising damp

Rising damp is caused by moisture from the ground getting into the foundations and walls of your home.

A sign of rising damp is a moist patch on the walls moving up from the ground.

Rising damp is usually a structural issue that your landlord has to deal with.

Check what rising damp can look like

This is an example of what damp and mould caused by rising damp could look like. Not every case will look like this.

Damp caused by leaks and flooding

This type of damp is sometimes called traumatic damp. It is usually caused by sudden or emergency events, such as:

• burst or leaking pipes

• flooding from another building or the environment

• broken water storage, like a water tank

Traumatic dampness can become a problem if there is a large amount of water involved or if water is left for a long time before being dried out, even if the original problem is repaired.

Check our advice on leaks and flooding in your rented home.

Reporting damp and mould to your landlord

If your landlord has a specific system for reporting repairs, like an online portal, use that first. If they do not have a system, report the problem in an email so that you have a record.

If you have to send a letter, use tracked delivery and keep your proof of postage.

If you report the repair by phone, keep a note of the time and date, who you spoke to and what was said.

Tell your landlord as much detail as you can and ask them to investigate the issue. For example, tell them:

• the signs of damp and mould you can see or smell

• where the damp and mould is in your home

• what steps you tried, if the issue seems related to condensation

• any repair issues that could be related, like a cracked wall outside

• if it’s affecting the health of you or your family

• if it’s damaging your belongings

Use our letter template to help you report the problem.

Copy and paste the sample text and personalise it with your details. Delete any parts that do not apply to you. Attach photos, videos or other relevant evidence.

Your landlord’s responsibilities for damp and mould

Your landlord must make sure your home is substantially free from damp and mould and fit to live in. They must normally do repairs if damp and mould is caused by:

• water coming in from outside, for example through gaps in windows or a leaking roof

• structural problems or problems with the outside of your home, such as blocked gutters

• a lack of a fixed heating system

• a lack of ventilation, natural light, or insulation

• problems with the pipes or drainage

• leaks or other problems with appliances your landlord provided

You're responsible for:

• reporting damp and mould to your landlord

• allowing access to your home for inspections and repair work

• taking reasonable steps to reduce condensation

After you have reported damp and mould

If you report damp and mould on or after 6th October 2026 your landlord must:

• get a competent person to investigate the problem within 10 working days

• give you a written summary of the investigation findings within 3 working days of it being completed

• start any necessary repairs within 5 working days of the investigation

If you rent from a council or housing association, they must complete the repairs within 20 working days.

If you rent from a private landlord, they must complete the repairs within a reasonable time.

The amount of time repairs should take depends on the cause. For example, a landlord can provide a dehumidifier to reduce condensation in a couple of days, while structural issues could take longer.

If you reported damp and mould before 6th October 2026

These timescales do not apply. Your landlord must still investigate and complete necessary repairs within a reasonable time.

If your landlord is not fixing damp and mould

Your landlord should not blame you for damp and mould without investigating the cause. They must follow the correct steps and complete any repairs that are needed to make sure your home meets the legal standards.

If they do not fix the issue in the legal timescales or if it keeps coming back, check our advice on:

• damp and mould if you rent from the council or housing association

• damp and mould if you rent from a private landlord