New legislation will be enforced that will force social landlords to make sure their properties are safe and mould-free.
Home owners who rent out properties will be forced under law to fix issues of mould in homes or face being taken to court as the UK Government tries to crack down on unsanitary and unsafe homes being rented out.
The new laws are slated to come in to force from October 2025, in the hopes they will end dangerous conditions in social housing in England for good.
They are being pushed after a result of the tragic case of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died after “chronic exposure to harmful mould” in his family’s flat in Rochdale in 2020.
Under the legislation, landlords will have to investigate and fix dangerous damp and mould within a set period of time and repair any and all emergency hazards within 24 hours.
After the first phase is launched in autumn 2025, the laws will then be expanded to cover excess cold and excess heat, structural collapse, fire and hygiene hazards from 2026.
Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture and there are various types which can be found in homes.
Here is all we know.
Can mould affect my health?
Yes. People with damp and mould in their homes can be left with serious illnesses if left untreated.
Mould can trigger issues with the immune system, as well as causing nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, respiratory infections and worsen asthma and allergic conditions.
It is especially dangerous for those with weakened immune systems.
See also: The best mould removers
Who is most affected?
Vulnerable people are most affected by mould. This can include old people, children and babies, people with respiratory illnesses, people with some skin problems and those with a weakened immune system, either due to illness or because of medicines they are taking.
What does mould do?
Mould can emit spores, cells, fragments and “volatile organic compounds” into the air.
Inhaling or touching these mould spores can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash.
Moulds can also trigger asthma attacks.
There is also evidence to suggest mould exposure can lead to rare conditions including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic alveolitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic fungal sinusitis.
Read about The Standard’s best energy efficient dehumidifiers to prevent mould
What do I do if there is mould in my home?
Getting to the root of the cause is important so incidents of mould do not keep recurring.
The NHS says: “If you have mould or damp 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.”
Citizens’ Advice offers tips for tenants to ensure their landlord resolves damp or mould issues.
If you decide to try to tackle a mould problem yourself, you should wear gloves and make sure you ventilate the area well if you are using bleach.
What are the causes of mould?
There are three main causes of damp and mould within homes, which are penetrating damp, rising damp and condensation.
If not dealt with properly, mould can grow and worsen.
Penetrating damp happens when there’s a problem with the fabric of the building or services within it, allowing water to enter the property, such as a roof leak.
Rising damp is caused by the breakdown of the damp-proof course of the building, which results in water creeping up the walls.
Condensation is by far the most common cause of damp and mould during the winter months.
The weather gets colder outdoors and then we turn the heating on in our homes, and leave the windows closed.
The resulting moisture can cause mould growth in the home.
See also: Best mould removers to keep your bathroom fungus-free
What have experts said?
Sarah Woolnough, chief executive at Asthma and Lung UK, said: “Exposure to mould and damp can be very harmful to our lungs as mould releases spores that can be breathed in, causing symptoms like coughing, wheezing, sneezing or watery eyes.
“Mould and fungi are a major trigger for asthma attacks and can worsen symptoms for those with other lung conditions, leave them fighting for breath. Babies, small children, older people and people with allergies are more likely to be affected.
“There is a link between poor housing and asthma, because of things like mould and damp.
“Mould and damp in houses are worse when temperatures drop in the winter, and cold and flu viruses, which can cause respiratory infections, can also thrive in colder temperatures and poorly ventilated, damp environments.
“Asthma and Lung UK is warning people, particularly those with lung conditions, to be vigilant against mould and damp, including keeping your home well ventilated.”
