Mould in Rented Property Landlord Won't Fix

The first step people typically take is to report the mould to the landlord in writing, with photographs and a clear description of the problem and any health effects. Landlords are generally expected to investigate and address the cause — not simply tell tenants to 'open windows more.' If the landlord does not respond within a reasonable time, tenants may consider contacting the local council's environmental health team, who have powers to inspect the property and serve improvement notices. Some tenants also explore whether they may have a housing disrepair claim for compensation, particularly if the mould has caused health problems or damage to belongings. It is worth noting that condensation mould caused purely by a tenant's lifestyle (such as drying clothes indoors without ventilation) may be viewed differently, though even then the property's ventilation adequacy may be relevant.

Common situations include: black mould appearing on walls and ceilings in bedrooms or bathrooms, a landlord blaming the tenant's lifestyle without investigating structural causes, mould causing or worsening respiratory problems such as asthma, a landlord promising to fix the problem but never doing so, mould spreading despite the tenant's efforts to clean it, damp patches on walls caused by rising damp or penetrating damp, and mould in a property with inadequate heating or ventilation.

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 amended the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to require landlords to ensure properties are fit for habitation throughout the tenancy. Section 10 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 lists factors relevant to fitness, including freedom from damp. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling, and installations for heating and ventilation. Under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities can assess properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), under which damp and mould is a Category 1 hazard that may trigger enforcement action.

People in this situation often consider: reporting the mould in writing with photographic evidence, contacting the local council's environmental health department, seeking a medical report linking health issues to the mould, exploring whether a housing disrepair compensation claim may be appropriate, looking into whether the property meets the Decent Homes Standard, and in some cases, considering whether to withhold rent (though this carries significant risks and is generally not advisable without legal advice).

Common mistakes include: not reporting the mould to the landlord in writing (verbal reports are harder to prove), accepting the landlord's claim that the mould is entirely the tenant's fault without independent assessment, attempting to fix serious mould problems yourself rather than holding the landlord responsible, not photographing and documenting the mould over time, and withholding rent without legal advice (this can put the tenancy at risk).