22-05-2025
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.
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