If you see mould anywhere within your rental property, then you need to alert the Landlord straight away. You can do this quickly and easily through our reporting tool on the website.
Once the problem has been reported, the landlord has to respond within 14 days. If they do not give you an adequate response within 14 days, then you can contact the council and you may be able to arrange an inspection. The council may then take further steps on your behalf such as issue the landlord with an Improvement Notice.
The Landlord has a duty to deal with the mould as they must ensure that the property is fit for human habitation, however, you as the tenant also have a duty to ‘act in a tenant like manner’, and if there is mould/damp in the property, then you should:
- Ensure that pan lids are used when cooking
- Close the bathroom and kitchen doors when they are in use.
- Avoid drying clothes indoors and on radiators
If the mould or underlying damp issues are not serious, then it may be avoidable by taking the above actions. If there is a more serious damp issue that is causing the mould, then this may be due to more serious problems with the building's construction or insulation, which are the landlords’ responsibility.
In more serious situations in which the landlord has failed to adequately respond, you may wish to consider taking legal action. You should seek independent legal advice before going down this route.
Information on this site is by way of general guidance only and may not apply in your particular circumstances. You should not act or refrain from acting upon information on this site without seeking independent legal advice.