Damp and mould: how we deal with it

If you have an older, protected tenancy, some of the repair rules here can work differently, but please still tell us early. See Repairs if you're a protected tenant.

Damp and mould can affect your breathing, your skin and your eyes, and people with conditions such as asthma are at risk of their condition getting worse. If you see any, please tell us early, so the cause can be found and put right sooner.

You won't be blamed

Cooking, showering, washing and drying clothes all put moisture into the air. Government guidance is clear that it is "totally unreasonable" to blame damp and mould on lifestyle, and that the real causes are things like problems with the building, poor ventilation, inadequate heating or poor energy efficiency.

Signs worth telling us about

• visible mould, often on window frames, in corners or on walls behind furniture
• damp patches, staining or peeling wallpaper
• a musty smell, even if you can't see any mould (it can be hidden behind surfaces)
• condensation that keeps coming back
• extractor fans that don't work, or heating that isn't working properly
• windows that don't close properly, or water getting in.

To report it, email admin@rlancaster.co.uk, or phone, text or WhatsApp 07398 042 999. Photos help. You don't need a doctor's note or any medical evidence.

What the law and guidance expect

Your home must be fit to live in, and freedom from damp is one of the things the law looks at. We must also keep the structure and outside of your home in repair.

Government guidance says a landlord should respond sensitively and treat damp and mould as urgent, find and fix the underlying cause rather than just cleaning the surface, keep you told about what will happen and when, and check again at least six weeks after the work.

Wiping away condensation and very small spots with a mould and mildew cleaner can help meanwhile, but never instead of telling us.

How quickly

We act as quickly as we can, and always within any time limit the law sets. At the moment there is no fixed legal timescale for dealing with damp and mould in privately rented homes, but guidance says landlords should act urgently where there is significant damp and mould or a worry about health.

"Awaab's Law" already sets timescales for social housing. The government plans to extend it to privately rented homes, but it isn't in force for private tenancies yet and the government will consult on the details first.

Find out more

• Damp and mould: understanding and addressing the health risks (GOV.UK)
• Repairs and mould in privately rented homes (GOV.UK)
• Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, section 9A (legislation.gov.uk)