What to Do If Your Rented Home Has Damp and Mould

What are the first signs of damp and mould in a rented home?

The first signs are usually visible black or green mould on walls, ceilings and around windows, along with a persistent musty smell. Catching these early protects both your health and your legal position as a tenant.

Look out for the following warning signs:

• Black, green or white mould patches, often in corners, behind furniture or around window frames
• A musty, earthy smell that lingers even after ventilating
• Peeling wallpaper, blistering paint or crumbling plaster
• Damp patches or tide marks on walls and skirting boards
• Condensation running down windows and pooling on sills
• Cold, wet or discoloured spots on external walls

How do I report damp and mould to my landlord?

Report it in writing as soon as you notice it, because a dated written record is your strongest evidence if the problem is ignored. A verbal complaint is easy for a landlord to dispute, so always create a paper trail.

1. Take clear, dated photographs of every affected area, including close-ups and wider shots for context.
2. Write to your landlord or letting agent by email or letter describing the problem, its location and how long it has been present.
3. Ask for a written response and a clear timescale for inspection and repair.
4. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.
5. If nothing happens, escalate to your local council’s environmental health team.

What are my legal rights as a tenant with damp and mould?

You have a legal right to a home that is fit for human habitation, and damp and mould that affects your health makes it a hazard your landlord must address. Two key protections apply in England.

Under Awaab’s Law, social landlords must investigate reported damp and mould hazards and carry out repairs within fixed statutory timescales, rather than leaving tenants waiting indefinitely. The Renters’ Rights Act extends stronger protections and standards across the rented sector, reinforcing your right to a safe, healthy home and making it harder for landlords to ignore serious disrepair. If your landlord fails to act, a clear, professional report becomes essential evidence.

Do I need a professional survey, and what does it include?

Yes, a professional survey is the most reliable way to prove the cause and extent of damp and mould and to hold your landlord accountable. Guesswork and generic advice rarely resolve the underlying problem or satisfy the authorities.

We confirm the price on a written quote once we understand the problem. Our Damp, Mould and Water Damage Assessment delivers a full insurance-ready written report with a photographic evidence appendix, clear findings and prioritised recommendations. Our Damp, Mould and Water Damage Assessment includes a mould inspection that identifies affected areas and their causes, and pinpoints whether the issue is condensation, penetrating damp or rising damp. That distinction matters, because it determines who is responsible and what remedy is appropriate.

Who pays for the survey and the repairs?

Responsibility for repairs almost always sits with the landlord where the damp stems from the building’s condition, such as a failed roof, defective guttering or inadequate ventilation. Where the cause is genuinely lifestyle-related condensation, responsibility can be shared, which is exactly why an accurate diagnosis is so valuable.

The cost of remedial work depends on the cause, the extent of the damage, the age and construction of the property and how long the problem has been left untreated. A precise survey removes the argument by setting out the evidence in writing, so the right party pays for the right work.

If you've got damp, mould, or a leak, you already know it needs sorting.

The longer it sits, the worse it gets. Get in touch and we will agree a date with you. If it is urgent, say so when you call.