Help with condensation and mould

On this page

• Report a damp or mould issue

• Understand what causes damp and mould

• What to look out for

• Health risks

• Steps you can take at home

• If you are struggling to keep your home warm

• Surveys

Understand what causes damp and mould

Knowing the cause helps us fix it quickly. Here’s what might be behind it:

Condensation
This happens when warm air meets cold surfaces – like windows and walls – and turns into water droplets. It's the most common cause of mould in homes.

Leaks
Leaky roofs, gutters, taps, toilets, or pipes can all cause damp patches or long-term water damage.

Poor ventilation
Without good airflow, moisture builds up, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Cold surfaces
If your home is hard to heat or has poor insulation, condensation and damp are more likely.

What to look out for

You should regularly check your home for any of the following signs that there is a problem:

• black spots or mould patches

• peeling wallpaper, bubbling paint or plaster

• damp patches on ceilings, walls or floors

• water dripping from pipes, ceilings or fittings

• musty smells that don’t go away

Health risks

Mould can make health conditions worse, especially for:

• babies and children

• older adults

• people with asthma, allergies or respiratory conditions

If anyone in your home is affected by damp or mould or is in the above groups, please let us know when you report the problem. We’ll take it into account when prioritising your repair.

Steps you can take at home

You’re not expected to fix structural problems with your home. But you can take small steps to reduce moisture in the air, which helps prevent mould forming.

Let fresh air in by

• opening your windows for 10–15 minutes each day

• keeping trickle vents open all year round

• using extractor fans when cooking or bathing

Cut down moisture by

• drying clothes outside if you can, or use a dryer that's vented outside

• putting lids on saucepans when cooking

• wiping condensation from windows each morning

• closing bathroom and kitchen doors to stop steam spreading throughout the home

Clean small patches of mould by

• wiping it using a cloth and mild detergent

• not dry brushing the mould, this spreads spores

• using a mould removing cleaning spray available in most supermarkets on more stubborn spots

If you're struggling to keep your home warm

If your home is hard to heat or your energy bills are too high, you may be able to get extra help.

We can support you with things like ventilation improvements and advice and support for energy costs.

Visit our money and energy support page to see what’s available.

When we might arrange a survey

You don’t need to request a damp or mould survey initially. If it’s clear what’s causing the problem, we’ll send the right person to fix it as soon as possible.

We only arrange surveys for complex or ongoing issues. This helps us fix urgent repairs faster.