What responsibilities do landlords have regarding mould and damp in their rental property?

When a property becomes damp, for whatever reason, it needs to be dealt with, otherwise mould starts to form. Not only can damp issues affect the fabric and contents of the property, but mould spores present a significant health risk to the people who live there. If inhaled, spores can cause breathing problems, which could lead to a lung infection and even death.  

Landlords are legally required to keep their rented homes safe for tenants and free from certain hazards, which include damp and mould. If a tenant reports an issue with the condition of their home, it must be addressed and fixed within a ‘reasonable’ period of time, otherwise you can face severe penalties. Once Awaab's Law is introduced to the private rented sector, a specific timescale will also be set for landlords to fix these issues.  

According to the latest English Housing Survey for 2023-24, 5% of homes in England had a problem with damp and in the private rented sector, that figure went up to 9%. 

Why does condensation form?

As temperatures drop in winter, condensation becomes far more prevalent, largely due to two key factors: 

1. Windows and walls become colder, increasing the temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor environments. 
    
2. In an effort to keep warm, people are much less likely to open windows for ventilation, resulting in more warm air being trapped inside the property. 

The sudden temperature difference causes the air to condense into water droplets, which are commonly seen on windows during colder months. Moisture can also develop on external walls, although this is often more difficult to detect. 

If these droplets are left untreated, surface mould, also known as “mildew,” will begin to form. These small grey or black specks are frequently found in bathrooms, where humidity levels are high and ventilation is often poor. However, they can appear anywhere in a property. 

7 top tips to help prevent condensation, damp, and mould

1. Ensure your property has some form of natural ventilation, such as trickle vents in windows and air bricks. 
    
2. Fit high-powered extractor fans in the kitchen, bathroom, and any room used for drying clothes. 
    
3. Use anti-mould paint in areas with high moisture levels, including the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. 
    
4. It is helpful to explain to your tenants that they have a responsibility to ventilate the property properly by opening windows all year round, even if just for an hour or so in the morning during the colder months. 
    
5. Explain to your tenants that keeping the home adequately heated will help prevent the structure of the property from becoming too cold and attracting damp which could affect their health. This is especially important if they plan to go on holiday during winter and turn off the heating completely. 
    
6. Check the exterior of the property every 6–12 months to ensure guttering is in good condition and that there are no cracks in the brickwork or gaps in roof tiles where water could enter.  
    
7. Encourage tenants to wipe away condensation as soon as it appears, whether this is simply with a cloth or with a window vacuum. 

Finally, regularly inspect the following areas of the property for early signs of mildew and damp so any issues can be dealt with quickly: 

• Around windows, where condensation is most likely to form 

• Above the shower in the bathroom 

• Behind furniture positioned against walls 

• At the bottom of walls, particularly on the ground floor, which can be affected by rising damp 

• Higher up on upstairs walls, where water may penetrate if the roof, guttering, or external brickwork is damaged 

If surface mould is discovered, remove it using an anti-mould or anti-fungal spray. For more serious signs of damp, contact a specialist to arrange a professional inspection. 

If you’re a Fully Managed landlord with us, we conduct regular inspections on your behalf, and organise any specialist treatment if required. 

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