Damp, mould and condensation

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Making sure that your home is free of condensation, damp and mould is really important.

Damp, mould and condensation

We are committed to meeting the needs of our customers and providing homes that are warm and dry. We understand that damp, mould and condensation can be concerning. If you have problems with damp, mould or condensation in your home, please let us know straight away.

You can watch the video below for a summary of our responsibilities, policy and advice for reducing the possibility of condensation, damp and mould developing on the video here:

View a version translated into Arabic here.

Damp, mould and condensation can occur as a result of a defect with your property so it’s important that you report any issues when they occur so we can deal with the property quickly.

You can report any concerns to us using the information below.

Our responsibilities include inspecting your property when you report damp, mould and condensation, diagnosing and dealing with the problem and letting you know the cause of the problem and providing you with advice

Your responsibilities include reporting any issues and repairs to us, allow access to completing repairs and inspections and seeking advice if you are considering any alterations to your property.

Making sure that your home is free of condensation, damp and mould is really important.

Condensation is moist air that collects on a cold surface such as a window or cold wall. Left untreated, it can create damp and then mould which can affect your health and home.

Condensation usually appears where there isn’t enough ventilation, so you might see it in the bathroom or kitchen, or in places where air doesn’t flow easily.

Here is some advice to reduce condensation, damp and mould in your home.

In the kitchen…

• When you’re cooking or boiling a kettle, try to keep the door closed to prevent steam moving around your home. Steam will collect on walls and windows and create condensation. Make sure your extractor fan is switched on if you have one, if you do not have one in your kitchen please report this to us as soon as possible so that we can arrange one to be installed.
• Cover your pans with lids when you’re cooking and leave your extractor fans on, you can also open your windows. Both of these will help to clear the air of moisture.

In the bathroom…

• Condensation, damp and mould in the bathroom is caused by hot baths and showers that send moisture into the air. When you’re taking a shower or bath, make sure your extractor fan is switched on if you have one, if you do not have one in your bathroom please report this to us as soon as possible so that we can arrange one to be installed You can also open a window to get rid of the steam.

Around the home…

• When possible and safe, try to keep your windows open to encourage fresh air to flow around your home.
• Try to avoid drying clothes inside or over radiators. If you can’t, then place the clothes on a rack in a room next to an open window and close the door. If the room has an extractor fan, keep it switched on until your clothes are dry.
• Try and keep your furniture at least 5cm away from walls to allow air to flow around it.You may want to keep soft furnishing away from external walls where moisture can collect.
• Try to leave your central heating on a constant, low setting for as much time as possible, or set the timer to boost the heating in the morning and the evening.
• Leaving moisture on surfaces will encourage mould to grow. Wipe away any condensation from windows and doors to prevent mould.
• Don’t overfill your wardrobes and cupboards as warm, damp air can collect inside.
• If you have a tumble dryer, make sure that it is vented to an outside wall or the condenser is regularly emptied.

Need more support?

We know things are really tough for a lot of our residents at the moment, so we’re here for you. Through our partnership with Riverside we’ve made additional funds available to support you.

Our Welfare Benefits Advisors can also help you understand what benefits you’re entitled to, whether you can get help with council tax and how the change over to Universal Credit can affect you.

A full list of the support is available here.

Policy

In consultation with our customers, we have recently produced a new Condensation, Damp and Mould Policy, this supports our overarching Repairs Policy and ensures customers receive a full property survey and action is taken to address any issues reported.

You can read our damp and mould policy along with all our other policies here.

Please report damp and mould issues

We ask that you contact us as soon as you notice any signs of damp and mould so we can visit your property to investigate.

To report damp and mould, please use your MyOneHousing account or email ask@onehousing.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0300 123 9966. You can also download the special edition of our newsletter which talks more about our work to tackle any damp and mould issues.

If you need information in another language or if you require an interpreter to be present when we visit your home, please let us know.