Damp and mould advice for private renters
Your home should be free from damp and mould problems. Read our advice leaflet for private renters.
Check the Government guidance for damp and mould.
If you have taken steps to deal with damp and mould in your home and that does not solve the problem, ask your landlord to help. You should ask in writing – it’s best to use an email, a text or a letter – and then keep a copy.
Tell your landlord exactly what the problem is and where it is. Explain what you have done already to try to solve the problem and ask them to help. You may find it useful to use this template letter from Shelter.
Your landlord must fix
The law says that your landlord must fix damp caused by problems such as:
- a leaking roof, gutter or cracked wall
- leaking pipes
- rotten window frames
- broken heaters
- damp-proofing that is old or defective - this is often the cause of damp on ground floor and basement flats.
If these aren’t the cause of the damp, check your tenancy agreement. Your landlord must deal with the problem if the agreement says they are responsible for keeping your home in a good condition or fit to live in.
Your landlord should improve the situation
Your landlord should do something to improve the situation even if your tenancy agreement doesn't say anything about their responsibility for conditions in your home. For example, your landlord could:
- provide a de-humidifier
- install ventilation
- improve the insulation of your home
How to get more help
If you have written to your landlord telling them about the problem and they still have not done anything, you need further help.
Legal action
It may be possible to take legal action against your landlord to force them to carry out repairs or to compensate you.
Inspection
If you think the conditions are putting your health at risk, we can assess whether your home is safe and take action if it is not safe.
If you show how the damp and mould are an immediate risk to your health or safety, we will arrange to inspect your home.
In most cases, we will write to your landlord first. We will give your landlord 3 weeks to deal with the problem. This is usually enough time to solve the problem. If after 3 weeks you tell us that your landlord has not responded to our letter, we will inspect your home.
Formal notice
After inspecting your home, we will take action. The action we take will depend on the kind of problem you have. If we find conditions that are a risk to your health, we will issue a formal notice to the landlord. If the landlord does not take action after this, we will prosecute or fine your landlord.
In extreme situations, we may make repairs ourselves or make an order prohibiting your landlord from letting the property any more.
We will keep you informed of the progress of any action we take.
Contact
Environmental Health and Housing Team
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Email: Environmental.Health@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Useful information