04/12/2025
If you have damp and mould in your home, you're more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.
A damp home is a breeding ground for mould, which can damage walls and furniture. Damp can lead to timber rot, which in turn can cause structural damages to a house if left unaddressed over a prolonged period of time.
There are a number of simple steps that you can take to help reduce condensation and moisture within your home.
Some of these steps include:
- Improve the ventilation
- Maintain an adequate temperature
- Always wipe surfaces where moisture settles.
- Keeping doors closed will stop the moisture from moving around the home, especially your bathroom and kitchen doors when you’re showering or cooking.
- Consider using a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers reduce the amount of moisture in the air.
- Report any cases of mould/damp to landlords or the council
Everyone deserves a home that is safe, secure and well maintained. A new social housing law, known as Awaab’s Law, came into effect on 27 October 2025, and means landlords must investigate and fix emergency and significant hazards within strict timeframes when an issue has been reported. It will also apply to private landlords from 2026.
If you have an issue with your home, particularly if you think it may pose a risk to your health and safety, report it to your landlord immediately. There are a number of ways to report it – for example directly from your landlord’s website, by email, over the phone or in person.
Care Network has lots of useful information and tips on their website to reduce damp and mould: https://www.carenetwork.org.uk/damp-mould-and-condensation
