Citizens Advice Charnwood

Advise on help available if you are experiencing damp and mould in your rented home.
‘We are worried now winter is on the way that damp and mould will start building up in our house again. Last year our living room was the worst and there’s still a strong smell, making it difficult to have friends round. We’re also concerned about our health. We did report it to our landlord, but so far nothing’s been done. What should we do?’
You’ve done the right thing by bringing this to your landlord. To work out if they are responsible you’ll need to find the cause of the damp and mould, but this can take time unless it’s obvious, like bad insulation or a leaking roof.
Damp is when an area of your property doesn’t dry out, often because it’s cold. The main types are rising, penetrating, construction, and condensation damp. It can lead to mould, which is a fungus that grows in areas where warm damp air condenses on cold surfaces, like window frames. Information on our website can help you work out what type of damp you have, who is responsible and what you can do – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-and-housing/repairs-and-housing-conditions/common-problems/repairs-damp/

  1. You should also check your tenancy agreement for mentions of repairs and damp. Your landlord is responsible for fixing a damp problem if it’s making your home unsafe to live in. For example, this could be if it’s affecting your health or the health of those you live with. Your landlord will also be responsible if the damp is related to repairs they should have carried out, like if the window frames are rotting. They would have to cover the cost of repairs to any items damaged by the damp, including carpets and furniture.

Condensation is a key cause of damp we’re all familiar with. Keeping homes well-heated and well-ventilated is the best way to prevent this, but for many of us today, high heating costs and cold weather are making this very difficult. If you’re finding it hard to insulate and heat your home, check our website to see if you’re eligible for support – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/

  1. Always avoid doing anything that can make damp worse, such as drying clothes on heaters, blocking air vents, or using portable gas heaters, as it may affect whether the landlord takes responsibility for repairs.
  2. You may reach the point where you just want to get out of your tenancy agreement early, but remember this can be very tricky and there might be things you haven’t tried yet. For example, if your landlord is responsible for the damp in your home but doesn’t do anything, there are steps you can take, like reporting them to the local authority. And as a private renter, if you’ve got evidence from a health professional that damp is making you ill, you may be able to get free legal advice through Legal Aid – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-and-housing/repairs-and-housing-conditions/renting-from-the-council-or-a-housing-association/taking-court-action-because-your-landlord-wont-make-repairs/
    More detailed information can be found on the Citizens Advice website – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-and-housing/repairs-and-housing-conditions/
    Our Local Enquiry Line is 01509 649 605 and is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30am-3.00pm. More details about us can be found on our website https://www.charnwoodcab.org.uk/