Damp and mould in a rented home: what to do

Step 1: record it

Take dated photos of the damp patches and any mould, including close-ups and a wider shot showing where they are in the room. Note when you first noticed it and whether it is getting worse. Note any damage to belongings. A cheap hygrometer reading of room humidity can be useful too.

Write down what you already do to manage moisture, such as using extractor fans, opening windows and how you dry washing. That helps show the problem is not simply lifestyle.

Step 2: report it in writing

Tell your landlord or letting agent by email or letter, not just by phone, so there is a record. Describe the problem, where it is, when it started, and attach photos. Ask them to inspect and say what they will do and when. Keep copies of everything, including replies.

Give access for inspections and repairs when reasonable notice is given. Landlords generally need to know about a problem before they are expected to fix it.

1. 1

   Photograph the damp and mould with dates

2. 2

   Email or write to the landlord or agent

3. 3

   Ask for an inspection and a timescale

4. 4

   Keep copies of all messages

5. 5

   Follow up in writing if nothing happens

What the landlord is responsible for

Landlords are generally responsible for keeping the structure and exterior in repair, including roofs, gutters, walls and windows, and for installations such as heating, extractor fans and plumbing. Damp caused by leaks, penetrating or rising damp, or broken fans and heating falls on the landlord.

In England, privately and socially rented homes must be fit for human habitation, and councils can act on serious hazards including damp and mould. For social housing in England, Awaab's Law introduced legal timescales for social landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould hazards, which came into force in October 2025. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own standards. Check gov.uk, gov.wales, mygov.scot or nidirect for the rules where you live.

What tenants can do

Tenants are expected to use the home in a reasonable way. That means using extractor fans and window vents, heating the home where you can, wiping condensation off windows, and not blocking air bricks or vents. Drying washing in a closed room with a dehumidifier, rather than on radiators, makes a big difference in many flats.

These steps help with condensation, but they do not replace repairs the landlord should make. Our guides on how to stop condensation on windows and signs of damp walls help you tell whether the cause is condensation or a building fault.

See dehumidifiers for condensation →

If the landlord does not act

If repairs are not made within a reasonable time, contact your local council's private sector housing or environmental health team. They can inspect and, where they find serious hazards, require the landlord to act. Social housing tenants should use the landlord's complaints process and can then go to the Housing Ombudsman in England or the relevant body in other nations.

Shelter and Citizens Advice offer free advice on your options. Keep paying rent while you pursue repairs unless an adviser tells you otherwise.

Cleaning and protecting your belongings

While you wait for repairs, clean small areas of mould on hard surfaces as described in how to remove black mould, and pull furniture a few centimetres away from cold outside walls so air can circulate. Keep clothes in a dry, ventilated wardrobe; our guide on how to stop damp in a wardrobe has tips. Tell your landlord about any cleaning you do and take photos before and after.

Frequently asked questions

Is my landlord responsible for mould? Landlords are responsible for damp caused by the building, such as leaks, structural damp or broken fans and heating. Condensation from daily living is shared: tenants should ventilate and heat reasonably, landlords should provide the means to do so.

What is Awaab's Law? A law for social housing in England that sets timescales for social landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould hazards. Check gov.uk for current details.

Who can help if my landlord ignores me? Your local council's housing or environmental health team, plus free advice from Shelter and Citizens Advice.