Updates from Citizens Advice Swale December 2024

Dealing with damp and mould in privately rented accommodation

Does damp and mould build up in your rented home over the winter? The first thing you should do is report the issue to your landlord or letting agency.

Damp is when an area of your property doesn’t dry out, often because it’s cold. Damp can lead to mould, which is a fungus that grows in areas where warm damp air condenses on cold surfaces, like window frames.

Your landlord is responsible for fixing a damp problem if it’s making your home unsafe to live in. For example, this could be if it’s affecting your health or the health of someone living in the property with you. Your landlord will also be responsible if the damp is related to repairs they should have carried out, for example if the roof is damaged. They would also have to cover the cost of repairs to any items damaged by the damp, including carpets and furniture.

One of the things that can contribute to damp and mould is condensation. You can prevent condensation by keeping your home well-heated and ventilated, but high heating costs and cold weather can make this difficult for lots of us. If you’re finding it hard to insulate and heat your home you can contact Citizens Advice Swale for support. We can give you energy saving tips, and if you’re eligible we can issue you with a fuel bank voucher.

There are steps you can take to make sure you’re not contributing to a damp problem, like avoiding drying clothes on heaters, blocking air vents, or using portable gas heaters. However, showering, cooking, and laundry are the kinds of things everyone expects to be able to do in their homes. If the property can’t be heated and ventilated adequately to cope with normal day-to-day living activities, then it's the property that’s the problem, not your behaviour.

If your landlord is responsible for the damp in your home but doesn’t do anything about it, there are steps you can take, like reporting them to the local authority. And as a private renter, if you’ve got evidence from a health professional that damp is making you ill, you may be able to get free legal advice through Legal Aid.

If you’d like additional support, you can attend our drop-in sessions without an appointment:

• Monday, 10am-12pm, Swale House, Sittingbourne
• Tuesday, 10am-12pm, Sheppey Gateway, Sheerness (except the second Tuesday of every month, which is held at Sheerness East Working Mens Club)
• Wednesday & Friday, 10am-12pm, 43 Stone Street, Faversham

Alternatively, email us at www.citizensadviceswale.uk/email-general-advice (Monday-Wednesday) or call Adviceline on freephone 0808 278 7979.

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Our last drop-in session before Christmas is on Monday 23 December, 10am-12pm at Swale House. We will reopen our drop-in service on Friday 3 January, 10am-12pm at 43 Stone Street, Faversham.