Condensation, Damp & Mould - A Practical Guide For Tenants

Purpose of This Guide

This guide provides simple, practical and realistic advice for managing condensation and mould in the private rented sector (PRS). It explains:

• What condensation is and why it happens
• How tenants can prevent mould in their home
• What landlords/agents are responsible for
• What tenants are responsible for
• How we handle mould reports

1. Understanding Condensation and Mould

1.1. What is Condensation?

Condensation happens when warm, moist air comes into contact with a cold surface (such as windows, external walls, or corners of rooms). The moisture in the air turns into water droplets, which can lead to black mould if left unmanaged.

Everyday activities create moisture:

• Showering
• Cooking
• Drying clothes indoors
• Breathing (two adults produce around 2 litres of moisture overnight)

1.2 Why Mould Develops

Mould grows where moisture is present and air flow is restricted. This usually occurs:

• Around windows and frames
• In corners of rooms
• Behind furniture placed against cold walls
• Around skirting boards
• Behind curtains that are closed against a window

Mould from condensation can begin forming within 6–12 hours of moisture settling.

2. Preventing Condensation (Tenant Guidance)

These simple daily habits make a big difference and help protect your home.

2.1 Ventilation

• Open windows for 10–15 minutes each day
• Use a “through draft” by opening windows on opposite sides of the home where possible
• Keep trickle vents open
• After showering or cooking, leave extractors running for at least 20 minutes
• Keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed during cooking/showering to stop moisture spreading

2.2 Heating

• Maintain a steady background heat where possible
• Avoid letting rooms drop very cold, as this increases condensation
• Ventilate briefly before heating to remove damp air (damp air is harder and more expensive to heat)

2.3 Furniture & Curtains

• Leave a gap of 5–10cm between furniture and walls
• Avoid heavy curtains sitting directly against cold window glass

2.4 Drying Clothes

• Avoid drying clothes indoors whenever possible
• If you must, use a ventilated room with the door closed and a window open
• A dehumidifier can help

2.5 Daily Wipe-Downs

• Wipe away condensation from windows, sills and frames each morning
• Clean any small patches of mould as soon as they appear.

Important:

It is normal and reasonable for tenants to clean small amounts of condensation-related mould as part of normal household upkeep.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Tenant Responsibilities

• Managing everyday moisture through ventilation and heating
• Keeping trickle vents open
• Using extractor fans correctly
• Cleaning small patches of mould promptly
• Reporting issues early if mould persists or spreads

3.2 Landlord/Agent Responsibilities

• Ensuring the property is free from structural damp or leaks
• Ensuring extractor fans and trickle vents are working
• Investigating mould reports promptly
• Treating mould if caused by a defect
• Providing tenants with guidance on managing condensation
• Documenting inspections and actions

Agents are not required to:

• Take specialist humidity/moisture readings
• Use damp meters (unless they choose to)
• Employ damp surveyors unless structural damp is suspected
• Clean mould caused by routine condensation

4. When It Is NOT Condensation

Your Landlord/Agent should look for signs that indicate a repair may be needed:

• Yellow/brown stains (possible leaks)
• Damp patches unrelated to windows
• Crumbling plaster or blown paint
• “Tide marks” on walls (possible rising damp)
• Water ingress around doors or frames
• Persistent mould despite proper ventilation

If any of these are found, further investigations will be required.

5. What Happens When You Report Mould

When we receive a mould report, we will:

Step 1 - Acknowledge your report quickly

We understand mould can be worrying, especially for households with health considerations.

Step 2 - Arrange an inspection

A visual inspection will be carried out within a reasonable timeframe.

During this visit, we look for:

• Signs of leaks or structural issues
• Evidence of condensation build-up
• Whether ventilation systems are working
• Any blockages to airflow (heavy curtains, furniture etc.)

Step 3 - Provide guidance

If the cause is condensation, we will explain how to manage moisture and prevent further mould.

Step 4 - Repairs where required

If a defect is identified (e.g., leak, failed extractor fan), we will arrange for repairs.

Step 5 – Treating mould

• If caused by condensation: tenants clean the affected areas using ordinary household mould cleaner.
• If caused by a defect: the landlord/agent will arrange mould treatment once the repair is completed.

6. Cleaning Mould (Tenant Instructions)

For condensation-related mould:

• Use a mould-removal spray or diluted bleach solution
• Wipe affected areas thoroughly
• Dry the area after cleaning
• Improve ventilation to prevent recurrence

If mould returns quickly or grows extensively, report it to us.