A healthy home

A healthy home

Damp and mould can appear in any home. During the winter months, properties are more at risk of being affected by condensation, damp, and mould as it is colder, and more moisture builds up in the air. On this page, you can learn about how damp & mould impacts the home, as well as read guidance and tips on how to prevent it from building up.

Reporting damp and mould

We take damp & mould seriously and understand the impact it can have on your health and your home. Our partners, ZapCarbon help us deal with damp & mould in our properties.

If you spot damp and/our mould, it's important you get in touch with us right away, particularly if you are not able to remove it. Fill out the form on this page, or call us immediately on 020 7780 3070.

Complete this form to report damp and mould

Complete this form to report damp and mould. Alternatively, you can contact customer service.

Note: Questions marked by * are mandatory


What is condensation, damp & mould?

There are different ways that moisture can build up in your home. These can lead to the growth of mould, which can cause damage to your health and your home.

Condensation

CondensationThis happens when the air cools down. The moisture in the air ‘condenses’ and leaves the air and can then be found on colder parts of your home (e.g. walls, windows). This is the most common form of damp.

Mould

mouldA fungus that grows in places with lots of moisture. Usually caused in the home by damp and condensation, it can have negative health impacts and damage the structure of the building if not dealt with quickly. There are some quick ways you can deal with small amounts of mould which we will show you below, but if you notice a large amount you need to let us know immediately.

Penetrating damp

Penetrating dampThis is when moisture gets into the building from the outside. This can be due to a leak, damage to walls, the roof, windows and more. It's important that you call us if you think water is getting into your property due to damage, particularly if there is a major leak.

Rising damp

Rising damp

Rising damp happens when moisture from the ground rises up through walls and floors. It is more common in older properties and is often due to a damp course that does not work. Let us know as soon as possible if you notice signs of rising damp.

Everyday things you can do to stop condensation damp & mould

Every day activities can cause condensation:

  • Cooking
  • Heating water
  • Drying laundry indoors
  • Baths and showers
  • Even breathing and sleeping!

Click here for tips on managing condensation

  • pot boilingWipe condensation - you can wipe this away from your windows and sills in the morning.
  • Dry clothes outside if you can.
  • Avoid using radiators to dry things. Use a clothes airer.
  • Use lids when cooking with pans. Use any extractor fans you have to.
  • Keep the door to rooms like the kitchen and bathroom closed to avoid moisture escaping into other areas of the home.
  • Keep windows open, even if for a short amount each day. You can open two windows on different sides of the house to create a good air flow for 30 minutes a day.
  • If you have window vents, keep them open.
  • Place furniture against internal walls and leave a small gap for air circulation.
  • Keep your heating at a consistent low level (between 18-21C). Keeping your home warm enough will mean condensation won't form.

What are we doing to improve how we deal with damp & mould?

  • We have been carrying out thorough stock condition surveys to understand our properties and potential causes of damp & mould in them. We are on track to complete these in 100% of our properties soon.
  • Our internal staff campaign, Spot It, Stop It is reinforcing the importance of our staff reporting instances of damp & mould.
  • We are installing censors in some of our properties so residents can manage ventilation and heating.
  • Our Neighbourhoods Team are carrying out tenancy audit visits. They are collecting information about any damp & mould concerns as part of these.
  • Our gas contractors (K&T) are completing specialist damp & mould inspections during their annual gas safety checks.