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Damp, mould and condensation in your home

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Condensation is the most likely cause of damp and mould in our homes. It occurs mainly during cold weather, and tends to appear in places where there is poor air circulation. Because you can’t see it, it’s often hard to realise just how much condensation there is in your home.

Please make sure you tell us as soon as possible if you're concerned about damp, mould or condensation in your home, especially if you're worried about the impact it might be having on your health or the health of members of your household. You’ll need to give us with some details and then we’ll get back to you with some next steps. It’s important that we gather all the right information to make sure we can tackle the problem quickly, so please make yourself a cuppa and allow 10 minutes or so to complete the form:

How can you help improve the situation?


There is no immediate and easy solution but as a tenant you need to balance three main factors which are heating, ventilation and moisture.

1. Heating

Ideally you should heat your whole home to a consistent temperature - ideally between 18° and 21°C - so no really hot or really cold rooms. If you're struggling to heat your home, please get in touch with us via the portal. We may be able to help with referring you to one of the many energy help schemes.

2. Ventilation

Ventilation is essential if condensation is to be controlled. Here are some things you can do:

  • In winter, open windows for short periods of time each day. If draughtproofing is fitted make sure there is a small space for some air to get through. If you have trickle vents fitted to the top of your window frames, leave them open.
  • Open windows during cooking, after a bath or shower, or if the glass is misted up. This will let out moisture - but remember to close them again shortly afterwards so the rooms do not get too cold.
  • Allow at least 5cm space between the back of furniture, such as sofas and cupboards, and the wall. It’s a good idea to check behind furniture regularly for signs of damp and mould developing.
  • Try not to overfill your wardrobes, and allow space for air to circulate.

Find out more about ventilation, why it's good for your health, and how to get the ventilation/heat loss balance right

3. Moisture reduction

Things you can do to help are:

  • Dry clothes outside if possible. If you have to dry clothes indoors use the bathroom with an open window and the internal door shut.
  • Make sure tumble dryers are properly vented to the outside of your building.
  • Close bathroom doors while bathing and kitchen doors while cooking, and open a window in that room.
  • Cover pans when cooking to reduce the steam given off.
  • Wiping away condensation from your windows, sills and window frames each day will minimise the spread of black mould.
  • If you have an extractor fan in your bathroom, always switch it on when you have a shower or a bath. If you have one in your kitchen, switch it on while cooking to help reduce moisture and cooking smells.

While condensation may not be the only cause of damp and mould in our homes, thankfully it is the easiest to manage. By making a few simple changes, you can drastically reduce the risk of mould forming in your home - taking these small steps now is a lot easier than removing it once it sets in!

Already have mould in your home?

If you already have mould in your home, try to get it treated as soon as you can. At the first sign of mould, you should:

  • Wipe down your walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash, following the instructions precisely.
  • Have your carpets shampooed. If you disturb mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning, you may increase the risk of being affected by the mould.
  • After treatment, apply a fungicidal paint directly to the wall to help prevent the mould returning. This should be applied directly to the walls, and not over ordinary paints or wallpaper.
  • if you're concerned about damp, mould or condensation in your home let us know by completing our form.

Condensation isn’t the only cause of mould, so if the problem persists you should contact us so that we can carry out an inspection of your home and identify the cause. If you have any questions about damp, condensation or mould, or want to talk to someone about your home, you can contact us.

Struggling to heat your home?

Visit our Financial support & help page for a list of organisations who can help - or if you're still not sure who to turn to, please get in touch with us via the portal and we'll be happy to help.