Advice For tenants Damp and mould
UK · For tenants · Health
Damp and mould in a rented home
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Damp and mould can harm health, especially for children, older people and anyone with a breathing condition. This page explains what to do as a private tenant in England, and where official guidance sits — including the difference between a building fault and everyday moisture.
Your call
Go or no?
If it is a small, safe job that is yours to do, give it a go. We’ll point you to a beginner guide and a short shopping list. If you’d rather not, or the work needs a trade, say no and we’ll help you find someone local. If the job is the landlord’s, report it to them first.
Right then. Here’s a sensible starter kit, and links to the relevant guides.
No problem. We’ll show you how to find a local tradesperson.
This is about England
Most of what follows is written for private renting in England. It is general information, not legal advice, and it is not a ruling on your tenancy. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules — use the official guidance for the nation you live in. The country notes at the top of this page point to official starting points elsewhere too.
Treat it as something to report, not something to hide
Take photos, note when it appeared and where it spreads, and report it to your landlord or agent in writing. Say if anyone in the household is more at risk (for example a child, or someone with asthma). Do not assume it is “just condensation” and therefore only your problem — official health guidance asks landlords to look at the building as well as how the home is used.
Common causes
Condensation from cooking, bathing and drying clothes is common, especially in cold rooms with little airflow. But mould that keeps returning, staining on outside walls, wet patches, a leaking gutter, a failed window, or a musty smell after rain can point to a building fault — rising or penetrating damp, a leak, or inadequate heating or insulation. Those are usually the landlord’s to investigate and put right.
You can help with everyday moisture: use the extractor, open a window after a shower, keep a consistent background heat if you can, and avoid drying clothes on radiators in a closed room if there is another option. That does not mean you have to live with mould the building is causing.
What your landlord should do
In England, landlords must keep a rented home safe and free from serious hazards. Official guidance on damp and mould for housing providers sets out the health risks and the need to find the cause, not just wipe the stains. If the problem is serious, your council’s environmental health team can inspect and can require work.
Awaab’s Law already sets repair timescales for serious hazards in social housing. For private rented homes in England, the government has been consulting on how to extend those rules; they are not simply already in force for every private landlord. Until they are, you still have the existing repair and hazard rules — and you should still report mould promptly.
Do not use bleach as a permanent fix
Cleaning a surface can help in the short term, but if the cause remains, the mould will come back. Do not strip a wall or put up a thick, impermeable covering over an active damp problem. If you are asked to “just keep wiping it”, write back, attach photos, and ask what investigation is being done.
Official guidance
These official and specialist pages are the best place to confirm the rules for your situation. We have used them as the starting point for this article.
- GOV.UK: Damp and mould — health risks for rented housing providers — official health and housing guidance
- GOV.UK: Private renting — repairs — the landlord’s repair duties
- Shelter England: Damp and mould in rented homes — practical advice for tenants
- GOV.UK: Extending Awaab’s Law to private rented tenancies — the official consultation on future private-rented timescales
- GOV.UK: Tenant guide to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System — health advice
FAQ
The agent says it is condensation, so it is my fault.
Everyday moisture can contribute, but the landlord still needs to consider the building: heating, insulation, leaks, gutters and ventilation. Report it in writing, keep photos, and if it is serious and ignored, contact your council.
Can I withhold rent?
Official guidance is that you should carry on paying rent. Use the proper next steps if nothing is done.
Is it safe to stay?
That depends on how bad it is and who lives there. The NHS page above explains health risks. If you are worried, speak to a GP or a health visitor as well as reporting the housing problem.
DIY guide and shopping list
For small, safe jobs that are yours to do, these beginner guides will walk you through it. Do not use them for gas work, the electrical installation, or a leak that is the landlord’s to fix.
Useful starting points: Unblock a sink, Fill cracks in walls, Reseal a bath, and Hang a curtain pole.
Prices below are typical UK ranges, shown so the page can convert them for your country. Always check the live product page before you buy.
| Item | Why you need it | Typical UK price | Shop link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plunger or sink unblocking tool | Clears a simple blockage you have caused. | Typically £5–£12 | |
| Ready-mixed filler and a filling knife | Fills picture-hook holes and small dents. | Typically £5–£10 | |
| Sandpaper or a sanding block | Smooths dried filler so a touch-up will sit flat. | Typically £4–£8 | |
| Kitchen-and-bathroom silicone | For a failing bead you are allowed to renew, if the agreement says you can. | Typically £6–£12 |
Shop this list:
Would rather not DIY? Find a local tradesperson
If the job is yours but you would rather not do it, a local handyman or plumber can often deal with a small fix. If the job is the landlord’s, report it to them first — they may already have someone they use.
We may earn from shop links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
General guidance only. Check our disclaimer.