Rent and Credit > How to Address Mould Problems in Rental Properties

How to Address Mould Problems in Rental Properties

Wollit Team2 minute read · Updated 13th August 2025

Dealing with mould in your rental property can be stressful, but knowing your rights and your landlord's duties can help you resolve the issue. This guide explains how to tackle mould problems effectively, protecting both your health and your tenancy.

Understanding Your Rights & Landlord's Duties

Under UK housing law, landlords must ensure your home meets basic health and safety standards. This includes addressing serious mould and damp issues that affect your well-being. The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) identifies persistent mould as a potential hazard landlords must fix.

Your landlord's responsibilities are clear:

Maintain the property's structure and exterior: This includes fixing issues like leaking roofs, broken windows, or faulty heating, which often cause dampness.
Ensure proper ventilation: Landlords should provide adequate ventilation, such as working extractor fans.
Address issues they're aware of: Once informed, landlords have a legal duty to investigate and remedy mould problems.

Reporting Mould to Your Landlord

When you discover mould, documentation is crucial. Follow these steps:

Take photographs: Capture the extent and location of the mould.
Keep records: Note when you first noticed the problem and any health symptoms.
Communicate in writing: Send a detailed email or letter, describing the issue and its health impacts.
Set a reasonable timeframe: Allow your landlord about 14 days to respond and outline their plan.

This written trail is vital if you need to escalate the issue later. Proper documentation demonstrates the same responsibility you show in meeting your rental obligations—and services that report your rent payments to credit agencies can help showcase this reliability to future landlords or mortgage lenders.

What to Do If Your Landlord Doesn't Act

If your landlord fails to address serious mould after proper notification, you have options:

Contact your local council's environmental health department: They can inspect the property and issue improvement notices to landlords.
Seek expert advice: Organisations like Shelter and Citizens Advice offer free guidance on housing law and tenant rights.
Consider legal action: In extreme cases, especially if your health is at risk, you may have grounds for legal action. This could involve court orders to enforce repairs or claims for compensation.

Tenant Prevention Tips

While landlords must fix structural mould issues, tenants can help prevent minor mould problems caused by condensation:

Ventilate regularly: Open windows, especially after showering or cooking.
Use extractor fans: Always use fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
Avoid drying clothes indoors without ventilation: If you must, open a window or use a dehumidifier.

These steps won't solve major damp issues but can stop minor ones from getting worse.

Protecting Your Tenancy & Financial Future

Reporting legitimate mould problems is your right, and landlords generally cannot retaliate by evicting you for raising these concerns in good faith. Following the correct reporting procedures protects your tenancy.

If you're a renter aiming for homeownership, remember that reporting your on-time rent payments with Wollit can help build your credit file, assisting your journey from renting to owning your own home.

Taking action against mould requires understanding your rights, proper documentation, and knowing when to seek support. The law requires landlords to provide safe, habitable homes, and you have the right to ensure these standards are met.