Are you struggling with damp and mould in your home?
At Citizens Advice Stroud and Cotswold Districts we saw a very significant rise in the number of people struggling with damp and mould during the winter. Our Research and Campaigns team have been gathering evidence about the problem and the number of clients with the problem has remained high – the number of people with a damp and mould problem was four times higher in April to June this year than the same period last year.
What can you do about damp and mould?
Unfortunately, there are many causes of damp that properties can get and it isn’t always easy to work out the cause. The most common types are rising, penetrating, construction and condensation damp. On our website (citizensadvice.org.uk) there is information that may help you work out what type of damp you have, who is responsible and what you can do.
It is important to keep homes well-heated and well-ventilated to prevent damp and mould. You may be eligible for help to insulate and heat your home and should visit our website to find out more. If you are on a low income you may be able to get help with heating and wider essentials from the Household Support Fund.
Drying wet clothes on radiators and blocking air vents may make condensation damp worse. It’s best to dry clothes outside if you can or in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or fan on.
What should your landlord do if you are a tenant?
It can be difficult to work out if your landlord is responsible – check your tenancy agreement for mentions of repairs and damp. One of the most common causes of damp is condensation. Our website has advice on things that can make the problem worse that may also impact the landlord taking responsibility for repairs.
A landlord will have to act in relation to damp if it makes the property unsafe for someone to live in. This could be for example, if it is making the tenant or a member of their family ill. The landlord will also be responsible if the damp is related to repairs they should have carried out, like if heaters are broken. If the damp has damaged items that the landlord is responsible for, such as carpets and window frames, they’ll likely have to cover the cost of repairs.
If your landlord is responsible for the damp in your property but doesn’t act, there are steps you can take, such as reporting them to the local authority. If you’re in social housing you might also be able to use the landlord’s formal complaints procedure. If you are thinking of leaving a fixed term tenancy agreement early, do speak to us first, as there might be better ways to approach the issue.
If you cannot access the website or need further help after reading the information on it, you can contact Citizens Advice Stroud and Cotswold Districts on 0808 800 0510 or email using the form on our website (www.citizensadvice-stroudandcotswold.org.uk).
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