Damp and mould is one of the most common problems in rented properties in England, and it can pose serious health risks including respiratory conditions, allergies, and asthma. It's also one of the issues most commonly blamed on tenants' "lifestyle choices" when the real causes are structural issues with the property.
Your landlord is responsible for maintaining the structure of the property, including the roof, walls, windows, guttering, and heating systems. If damp and mould are caused by a deficiency in any of these, the repair responsibility falls on the landlord, not you. Common structural causes include leaking roofs, rising damp, failed damp-proof courses, inadequate ventilation, broken extractor fans, and heating systems that don't work properly.
If you report damp and mould to your landlord and they fail to act, you can contact your local council's environmental health team, which can inspect the property and require the landlord to carry out repairs. Under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), damp and mould growth is a recognised hazard.
Awaab's Law, which already applies to social housing, will extend to the private rented sector under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, setting legally enforceable timeframes for landlords to investigate and resolve hazards including damp and mould.
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