Home and building safety

Damp and mould

Every home should be warm, safe and free from damp and mould. If you spot anything, no matter how small, let us know.

Wythenshawe Community Housing Group

What causes mould?

Mould usually comes from condensation – when warm air hits a cold surface (like windows or walls) and turns into water. That moisture builds up, especially behind furniture or in corners, and can lead to black mould. Even new-build homes can get it while they’re drying out.

Other things can cause damp and mould too, like:

  • Leaking pipes
  • Dodgy gutters
  • Rising damp from a faulty damp course

This is what we’ll do

We take damp and mould seriously because we know it can affect your health. Every case is treated individually – there’s no one-size-fits-all.

  • One of our surveyors will call round within 10 days
  • They’ll check things out and agree what happens next

Depending on what they find, we might:

  • Sort the damp and mould directly
  • Do some repairs or improve your ventilation
  • Bring in a specialist if needed
  • Share tips to help stop it coming back

Awaab’s Law is changing the way landlords like us respond to damp and mould. Find out more below.

Watch this video for some tips on how to prevent damp and mould coming back.

What you can do to help

To reduce the amount of moisture in your home:

  • Use lids when cooking so less steam goes into your home
  • Dry clothes outside if you can, or open a window if drying indoors
  • Keep window trickle vents open, or open windows to let some air in
  • Use fans when cooking or having a shower or bath
  • Leave a bit of space behind your furniture so air can flow round the room
  • Heat rooms steadily to stop warm air from hitting cold walls
  • Good insulation helps – if you’re not sure you have good insulation, call us on 0300 111 0000

If you’ve spotted mould:

  • Use a fungicidal spray – remember to always follow the instructions
  • Wash clothes and soft furnishings. Don’t brush the mould
  • Use mould-resistant paint or paste when redecorating

Awaab’s Law - making homes safer

Awaab’s Law is new Government legislation to protect residents from unsafe housing conditions, starting with damp and mould.

Named after Awaab Ishak, a child who sadly died due to mould in his home, the law requires landlords to act quickly and keep tenants informed when hazards are reported.

Landlords must follow strict timescales dealing with damp and mould

Emergency hazard

  • Make safe or start repairs or provide temporary accommodation, if needed, within 24 hours

Significant damp or mould

  • Inspect within 10 working days
  • Share findings within 3 working days of inspection
  • Start repairs within 5 working days, complete within 12 weeks

Keeping you informed

When you report a problem, we’ll give you a written action plan explaining:

  • What we’ll do
  • When we’ll do it
  • How we’ll keep you updated

If repairs can’t be done safely or on time, we’ll arrange temporary accommodation until your home is safe.

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