How Damp and Mould Can Damage Your Health and Your Home
Living in a safe and healthy environment is a basic human right. Unfortunately, thousands of tenants across the UK are forced to endure unsafe conditions due to housing disrepair—particularly damp and mould. These issues, often overlooked by landlords, can have devastating effects on both your home and your health.
If you're experiencing ongoing issues with damp and mould and your landlord is ignoring your complaints, it's time to take action. The Housing Disrepair Compensation can help you hold negligent landlords accountable and support your right to live in a habitable property.
Damp and mould are caused when excess moisture accumulates inside a property and is not properly ventilated or resolved. Common causes include: Leaky roofs or pipes
Rising damp from the ground due to poor foundations
Condensation from poor insulation or lack of ventilation
Blocked gutters or drainage systems
When moisture is left to linger, it encourages mould growth—usually appearing as black, green, or brown patches on walls, ceilings, and around windows. Mould spores spread easily and thrive in cold, damp environments, turning your home into a potential health hazard.
The risks of damp and mould extend far beyond an unsightly wall. Mould spores release allergens, irritants, and sometimes toxic substances that affect your body every time you breathe them in. For vulnerable tenants, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions, the health implications are even more severe. Asthma attacks and other respiratory conditions
Skin rashes, itching, and irritation
Persistent coughing and sneezing
Eye irritation and headaches
Infections and worsening of immune system-related conditions
Studies by health authorities, including the NHS, confirm that long-term exposure to mould can significantly reduce quality of life. Yet many landlords continue to ignore repair requests—putting tenants at unnecessary risk.
Damp doesn't just impact your health—it also damages your belongings and the structure of your home. Furniture, clothing, and electronic devices can all be ruined by mould growth. Over time, damp can weaken plaster, warp flooring, corrode metal fixtures, and cause extensive structural damage to the property.
Left unresolved, even minor damp patches can lead to: Rotten window frames and doors
Crumbling plaster and peeling paint
Warped floorboards
Foul odours
Worsened energy efficiency due to trapped moisture
This deterioration not only reduces your quality of living but also increases the cost and difficulty of future repairs—something landlords are legally obligated to prevent.
Landlords in the UK are legally required to maintain their properties in a state fit for habitation under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. This includes addressing issues such as: Damp and mould
Leaks
Ventilation problems
Structural damage
If you've reported damp or mould to your landlord and they have failed to take appropriate action, they may be in breach of their legal responsibilities. You may be entitled to compensation for any harm to your health, damage to belongings, and inconvenience suffered.
If you're facing damp and mould issues in your rented home, here's what you should do:
Take clear photos of all affected areas. Keep records of all communication with your landlord about the problem, including emails, messages, and written letters.
Always report the issue in writing, even if you've spoken to them before. This ensures a paper trail that proves your efforts to resolve the issue.
If your landlord fails to act, you can report the issue to your local council. The Environmental Health Department may inspect your home and force the landlord to carry out repairs under a legal notice.
If you are still being ignored, a housing disrepair claims expert can help you start legal action against your landlord. You don't have to suffer in silence—support is available.
Yes, if you've suffered due to unresolved damp and mould in your home, you may be able to claim compensation. Successful claims typically cover: Health-related issues caused or worsened by mould
Damage to personal belongings such as furniture and clothes
Emotional stress and inconvenience
Time spent without essential parts of the home being usable
Claiming compensation can also encourage landlords to take repairs seriously and make lasting improvements to their properties.
The Housing Disrepair Team UK is a trusted claims management company dedicated to supporting tenants whose landlords have failed in their legal obligations. Their experienced team specialises in identifying and proving housing disrepair and securing compensation for affected tenants. Whether you're facing damp, mould, leaks, broken heating, or pest issues, they can guide you through the claims process from start to finish.
They operate on a no win, no fee basis, which means there's no financial risk to you. With their help, you can restore your living conditions and receive the justice you deserve.
While it's the landlord's responsibility to fix the root causes of damp, tenants can take a few practical steps to reduce the impact until proper repairs are made: Keep windows open slightly when cooking or showering
Use extractor fans where possible
Avoid drying clothes indoors or ensure good ventilation when doing so
Wipe away condensation regularly
Keep furniture slightly away from walls to allow air flow
However, remember that these are only temporary measures. If structural or plumbing issues are causing the damp, it is the landlord's duty to fix them.
Damp and mould are not just minor inconveniences—they are serious threats to your health and safety. Tenants should never accept living in these conditions, especially when landlords are legally responsible for resolving the issues. Recognising the early warning signs of damp and mould allows you to take swift action and prevent further damage.
If you've been living with damp and mould and your landlord has failed to carry out repairs, Reach out to the Housing Disrepair Team UK for expert help. Your home should be a place of comfort—not a source of harm. Stand up for your rights and claim the safe, habitable living space you deserve.
TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Warning over measles risk during school holidays
Parents are being urged to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles ahead of the summer holidays as an outbreak continues to spread across the UK. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, but two doses of the MMR vaccine during childhood can offer lifelong protection. However, uptake of the vaccine in Britain is below recommended levels, and cases have been rising. Young children have the first dose of the vaccine when they are one year old and the second at between three years and four months and five years of age. There have been 420 measles cases in England so far this year, with 86 last month alone, figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal. Two thirds of the cases were in children under 10, and almost 40 per cent were in London. The capital has the lowest vaccination percentage in the country, with more than a quarter of the population going without full protection. Officials are concerned that the infection, which can lead to serious complications, spreads easily through the air via sneezes, coughs and exhalations. They said it could see an uptick when schools break up for the summer and children mingle during the holidays. Measles has an estimated 'R' number of around 18, which means that, on average, a single infected person passes the infection on to 18 others. Covid has a natural 'R' number of about three. Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'It's essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with two MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family. 'Measles cases are picking up again in England, and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK. 'Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain, with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences. Nobody wants this for their child, and it's not something you want to experience when away on holiday.' People who have the two doses of the MMR vaccine, which are safe and effective, are not only protecting themselves but also helping protect others who are unvaccinated, such as young babies. Health officials said parents could check their child's 'red book', a national record given to parents or carers to document a child's health and development, to see if they are fully protected. Adults can check their vaccination status by contacting their GP or checking in the NHS app, although not everyone's complete immunisation data is live on the app. UKHSA said that cases in Europe had reached their highest level in almost three decades last year. A global increase in measles has led the agency to say it is concerned that this could mean people bring back the contagious disease to England after travelling over the summer. There were more than 127,000 cases of measles in Europe last year, according to global health leaders, the highest number since 1997. So far this year, outbreaks have been documented in France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the largest number of measles cases worldwide, according to a recent report by the World Health Organisation. Dr Amanda Doyle, the national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: 'The recent increase in cases seen in England and Europe should act as an important reminder to ensure your child is protected. 'Too many babies and young children are still not protected against the diseases, which are contagious infections that spread very easily and can cause serious health problems. 'MMR jabs are provided free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme, and I would encourage all parents to act on invites or check vaccination records if they think they may have missed their child's vaccination.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bird flu cases detected in seagulls in Cumbrian town
BIRD flu has been detected in a West Cumbrian town. Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners have confirmed that bird flu cases have been confirmed in the town. It is reported that the cases are affecting seagulls at the harbour. People are warned to take precautions when visiting the area, especially if walking a dog around the harbour. A Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners spokesman said: "Positive cases of avian influenza (bird flu) have been reported in the Whitehaven Harbour area. "There's no need to panic, but we kindly ask everyone to follow DEFRA's safety advice." Members of the public are urged to keep dogs on the lead at all times; do not touch wild birds; do not feed the birds; and wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with birds or droppings. Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners added: "We know it can be upsetting to see sick or injured birds but please do not approach or handle them. "For birds found on the Harbour, contact our office at 01946 590515 – a team member will help, or you can leave a message. "For birds in the water, please call Whitehaven Marina at 01946 692435. Thanks for helping keep our wildlife and community safe." The NHS says that bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans. There are lots of different strains of the bird flu virus. Most of them don't infect humans. The NHS website states: "Plans are in place to manage any suspected cases of bird flu in the UK. "H5N8 and H5N1 bird flu have been found in some poultry, other captive birds and wild birds in the UK. "H5N6 has also been found in some wild birds in the UK, but this is a different strain to the H5N6 virus that has infected some people in China."
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Corrupt Edinburgh NHS manager jailed for eight years over £6m contracts
Four men have been jailed for a total of 29 years over the awarding of NHS contracts worth £6million. Alan Hush, 68, Adam Sharoudi, 41, Gavin Brown, 48, and Gavin Cox, 60, were convicted by a jury following an investigation at health boards across Scotland. Hush, telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian and then NHS Scotland's video conferencing manager, was sentenced to eight years in jail. READ MORE: Edinburgh man's touching tribute for best pal after his unexpected death at 38 READ MORE: 'Maggots burst from tin of tuna I was about to feed my baby - I can never eat touch it again' Sharoudi and Brown, directors of Ayrshire-based telecommunications firm Oricom Ltd, were imprisoned for eight years and seven years respectively. Cox, who held the post of head of IT and infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire, will spend six years in prison. Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: 'This is an outstanding result for justice in Scotland. 'As prosecutors, we have shown an unwavering commitment to pursuing and investigating this matter. This was a betrayal of public trust. 'These four men colluded to create a sophisticated criminal scheme. The public will rightly be shocked by the scale of their criminality. The scale of this offending against our public health service is particularly egregious. 'The systematic abuse of position by public officials, who accepted inappropriate benefits including cash, holidays and entertainment in exchange for contract advantages, strikes at the heart of public trust. 'It serves as a reminder that procurement processes exist to ensure fair competition and value for public money. When these processes are corrupted, all of society bears the cost. 'The prosecutorial journey has been complex and demanding. It required forensic examination of thousands of documents, hundreds of witness statements, and detailed financial analyses to establish the full extent of this criminal activity. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox 'The digital evidence, particularly text messages and emails exchanged between the accused, proved pivotal in exposing the true nature of these arrangements. 'This was a meticulous investigation and one which reflects the enduring partnership working between specialist Crown Office prosecutors, NHS Counter Fraud Services and Police Scotland who worked tirelessly over many years. 'Their unflinching dedication to serving the interests of justice, regardless of complexity or duration, deserves recognition. 'The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has worked closely with these specialist reporting agencies to ensure justice has been served. 'This case demonstrates clearly that those who indulge in corrupt practices for their own personal gain will be brought to book regardless of the time it takes to bring offenders to justice. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. 'The Proceeds of Crime proceedings that will follow demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ensuring that crime does not pay and that illicitly obtained funds are recovered where possible.' All four individuals will now be subject to confiscation action under Proceeds of Crime legislation to recover monies illegally obtained. Brown and Sharoudi were also banned from being company directors for 10 years.
