Condensation, damp & mould
Condensation, Damp & Mould
We want your home to be safe, warm and a place that you are proud of. To do this, we have to work together to reduce condensation in your home and deal with damp and mould. Have a look at the information below to find out more about what they are. The information below also tells you what you can do to reduce them and what we will do.
Damp
Damp appears in homes when there is a build-up of moisture and often looks like yellow or brown patches. Other signs of damp in homes are stained paint and crumbly plaster. Rising damp is another type of damp and is caused by water coming up from the ground. It is also caused by water getting in from outside through roofs, walls, windows or leaks. If damp is left untreated, it can spread and lead to mould.
Mould
Mould is caused by damp and/or humid environments and are black, green or white spots that can spread if the moisture stays. Mould usually happens after condensation or leaks, especially in colder rooms or places with little air movement (behind wardrobes or on outside walls). It looks and smells unpleasant and can affect health and belongings.
Damp and mould are usually found in rooms where there is extra moisture. For example, steam from showers in bathrooms and a build up of steam from kettles and pans when cooking in kitchens. It can also appear in other rooms, and we would recommend keeping an eye out for it in all rooms of your home.
What do I need to do if I notice damp and mould in my home?
If you notice mould on your ceilings, windows or walls, damp patches or notice a musty smell please report it to us as soon as possible. The sooner we know about it the sooner we can fix it.
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By telephone - 0330 175 9540 |
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In-person with any Incommunities employee |
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By email - dampresponseteam@incommunities.co.uk |
What happens when you report damp and mould to us
You can find out more about what happens once you've reported damp and mould to us.
Awaabs Law
Awaab's Law is a new housing rule in the UK that makes sure social housing landlords act quickly when serious problems like damp, mould, or other hazards are reported.
It sets clear deadlines for landlords to:
- Check the problem
- Update customers on what's happening
- Start fixing it
For example:
- Emergency hazards must be checked and made safe within 24 hours
- Issues like significant damp or mould must be investigated within 10 working days
The law is being rolled out in stages from 2025 to 2027. Its goal is simple: faster action, safer homes, and better protection for customers' health.
Making a Complaint
Tell us if something's not right. If you're not happy with how we've handled damp and mould in your home, you can make a complaint, and we'll work with you to put things right.
What is condensation?
Condensation happens when the moisture in the air in your home meets cold surfaces, like tiles, walls and windows and turns into water droplets. Everyday activities, such as showering, drying clothes, boiling kettles and cooking, add extra moisture to the air and contribute to condensation. Most homes get condensation, but if the moisture in the air in your home builds up, and can't escape, it can lead to bigger problems.
How to prevent condensation, damp and mould in your home.
There are some steps you can take to reduce condensation, damp and mould in your home:
Step 1: Reduce moisture
- When you can, dry clothes outside. If you need to dry clothes indoors, hang them on an airer in a well-ventilated room where a window can be opened. Don't dry clothes on a radiator.
- Use a pan lid when cooking to keep the steam from escaping into the kitchen.
- Keep the internal kitchen door closed and the kitchen window slightly open or the fan on when you are cooking. This will help the moisture escape out of the kitchen.
- After your shower, wipe down the tiles around your shower so that moisture doesn't stay on the tiles.
- When showering, close your bathroom door so that the steam from the hot water doesn't spread to the rest of your house.
- Also, open the bathroom window to get rid of the moisture in the air or keep the extractor fan on in the bathroom.
- If you have a fan in your kitchen and/or bathroom leave them on for as long as possible. Leaving them on for longer won't leave you with a big electricity bill as they use little energy.
- If you notice condensation on your windows in the morning, wipe this off with a cloth.
- If you have a tumble dryer, put the vent through an open window.
Step 2: Let air flow through your home
- Open trickle vents on windows or open windows for up to half an hour in the morning so that air can circulate in your home.
- Don't block airbricks or window vents in your home as blocking them will stop air circulating.
- If your home has additional insulation, including cavity wall or external wall insulation, it's even more important to allow fresh air in as often as possible.
- Try to leave a space between furniture and the wall to allow air to circulate.
- If you have a fan in your kitchen and/or bathroom leave them on for as long as possible. Leaving them on for longer won't leave you with a big electricity bill as they use little energy.
Step 3: Keep your house warm
- The Energy Savings trust recommends heating your home to between 18 & 21 degrees during winter months, while you're in your home.
- Leaving your heating on low during winter can help reduce condensation as it keeps your home warm. Keeping radiators on the frost setting in unused rooms also helps.
- If you don't use your heating enough the walls of your home will cool, which can lead to condensation.
- Closing the door to an unused, cooler room will also help keep your home warmer.
- Opening your curtains and blinds during daylight can help warm your home. It will also allow moisture to be vented through trickle vents or open windows.
Hygrometer
A hygrometer is a handy tool that measures the humidity and temperature in your home. It will help you to reduce the risk of condensation and mould in your home.
When we do a damp survey, our surveyor will give you a hygrometer so you can keep an eye on the moisture in your home. They will tell you how to use the hygrometer and what to look out for when they do the survey.
If you would like to request a hygrometer, please call 0330 175 9540 or email our Damp Response Team at dampresponseteam@incommunities.co.uk.
Please note, we don't replace batteries in hygrometers.
