Damp and mould - frequently asked questions by shared owners

These are caused by excess moisture in the atmosphere, which can be caused by several factors, including leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames. 

Condensation won’t leave a watermark on surfaces – this is more likely to be damp, which might’ve been caused by another issue, such as: 

• Leaks from windows, roof or guttering.
• Penetrating moisture through walls.
• A newly built home may be damp if the water used when building it is still drying out – for example, in the plaster on the walls. 

It's important to find out why you have excess moisture in your home. When you know what's causing the damp, you can make sure your home is repaired or take steps to limit the moisture in the air. You may need to get a professional to remove mould for you, but if it's only a small amount you may be able to remove it yourself. 

You should remove mould as soon as it appears. The good news is that while mould is unpleasant, if it's tackled early it can be treated relatively easily. 

To remove mould, follow these simple steps: 

• Always wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a dust mask before cleaning.
• Wipe down the affected area with a fungicidal wash or spray that’s been approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Always follow the instructions on the bottle very carefully.
• Please note, chlorine bleach can only kill surface mould and won’t destroy its roots.
• After treatment, use fungicidal-resistant paint to help prevent re-growth.
• Don't try to remove mould using a brush or vacuum cleaner.

If you can’t open a window, you can use an extractor fan (if you have one) or a dehumidifier. Always keep the door to the room shut while you do this to prevent the moisture-heavy air from spreading to the rest of your home.  

As a shared owner, your lease states that all repairs are your responsibility. You’ll need to get issues that could be contributing to damp and mould, such as faulty extractor fans, leaks, guttering, broken roof tiles, blocked external vents and faulty soffits and fascias attended to privately. 

If you’re living in a new build property and if your property is within the defects period, you can report these through to our Aftercare Team on 0800 111 4013. 

If you’re outside of your defects period, we encourage you to explore the warranty provided with your home. You can contact us for details of this.  

If you only have a small area that needs to be removed, it might only take a professional an hour or so. At the bigger end of the scale, if you need mould to be removed from your entire home, you’re likely to be quoted a flat fee for the project.  

You might need to try more than one scheme to find one that covers your area and the kind of trader you’re looking for. You can try: 

• TrustMark - the Government’s trader scheme
• the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme
• Buy with Confidence
• Which? Trusted Trader

Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline if you need help with finding a trader, for example if you have a disability that means you can’t easily look online. 

If you’re worried about the cost of repairs in your home, you can access information on financial wellbeing.

There are also home improvement grants and services available which may help with the cost of getting rid of damp and mould - you can find out more here. 

Condensation is created when warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces, or when there’s too much moisture in your home. It’s a more common problem during the colder months and it can be found on or near windows, in the corner of rooms and even in wardrobes or cupboards or behind large items of furniture where air flow is restricted. 

The dampness caused by a large amount of condensation can lead to the growth of mould on walls, furniture and other belongings, mildew on fabrics and can even cause wood to rot – including window frames. 

If you see condensation gathering on windows or other surfaces, use a dry cloth to wipe it down. Once you’ve done this, place the cloth outside to dry so that the moisture isn’t absorbed back into your home. A window vacuum can help you remove condensation from windows, allowing you to tip away any water collected. Also try to open a window for a while to allow excess moisture to escape. 

Other simple steps you can take 

• Keep a small gap between large items of furniture and the walls to help air circulate.
• Keep your curtains open during the day to let plenty of natural light in as mould thrives in the dark.
• Consider some indoor house plants that are good at absorbing humidity. 
• If you use a tumble dryer, make sure that it ventilates to outside your home.
• Always cook with pan lids on and reduce the heat once the water has boiled.
• Always leave a small window open while cooking to allow excess moisture to escape.
• If you have an extractor fan, run it for 10 minutes after you’ve finished.
• Filling your bath with cold water before adding hot will significantly reduce the amount of steam.

If you spot mould in your loft, we’d advise you to get in touch with your local mould removal specialists as soon as you can. If the right conditions for mould growth remain, the problem may continue to get worse.