All homes are at risk of condensation, particularly through the winter months. Excess condensation in your home can lead to problems such as mould growth, which can affect your health and the health of your home. Small amounts of condensation are not usually a problem, and there are some everyday things we can all do to help prevent it.
As your landlord, it’s our responsibility to provide you with a safe and healthy home. Our aim is to share practical advice that will help you manage condensation and maintain a healthy home, outlining the different types of damp, how to spot potential concerns and how to contact us if there is a problem.
Our Commitment Under Awaab’s Law
From 27 October 2025, Awaab’s Law will come into force, setting legally binding timeframes for social landlords to investigate and resolve hazards such as damp and mould. Named in memory of Awaab Ishak, this legislation ensures that all tenants live in safe, healthy homes.
At Orwell Housing Association, we fully support the principles of Awaab’s Law and are committed to acting swiftly and responsibly when damp, mould or other health hazards are reported. We will:
- Investigate emergency hazards within 24 hours and take immediate action to make homes safe.
- Respond to significant damp and mould concerns within 10 working days, providing clear updates and beginning repairs promptly.
- Offer alternative accommodation where necessary if a property cannot be made safe within the required timeframe.
We believe everyone deserves a home that supports their health and wellbeing. If you notice damp or mould in your home, please report it to us immediately so we can take action.
Identifying and reporting damp and mould
If you identify damp and mould in your home, please report it to us as soon as possible. You can contact us via:
-
What is condensation?
Condensation happens when excess moisture in the air meets a cold surface and turns into water droplets. Everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, showering, bathing, and even breathing produce moisture in our homes.
Condensation is more common in winter because surfaces such as windows and walls are colder, while the air inside tends to be warmer and more humid. We also keep windows and doors closed more often during colder months, which reduces ventilation and makes it harder for moist air to escape.
Small amounts of condensation, like steam from a shower settling on a bathroom mirror, aren’t usually a problem if managed properly.
Quick tip
If you notice condensation on a surface, simply wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth or kitchen towel. -
What is damp?
What is damp?
Whilst condensation is one type of damp, caused by excess moisture inside the home, there are other types of damp to be aware of, including:
- rising damp
- penetrating damp
- damp caused by plumbing faultsRising damp
Rising damp is caused by water in the soil moving up through a wall and will only affect ground floor rooms or basements. It isn’t very common and is usually prevented by a barrier called a damp-proof course. Rising damp can occur if the damp-proof course in your home is either missing or damaged. Signs of rising damp include damaged skirting boards and floorboards, crumbling or salt-stained plaster, and peeling paint or wallpaper. Rising damp often has the appearance of a tide mark running along the bottom of a wall.Penetrating damp
Penetrating damp is caused by water seeping through the walls from outside and is caused by structural problems such as faulty guttering or roofing. It usually shows up as a concentrated damp patch on walls, ceilings or floors with a clear edge. This type of damp often gets worse when it rains.Plumbing fault
A plumbing fault, such as a leak in a water or waste pipe can cause damp. This would usually occur in a kitchen or bathroom. The damp area would be wet to touch and would remain consistently damp regardless of the weather outside. -
What is mould?
Excess condensation or structural damp issues can cause sitting water on surfaces like ceilings, walls and floors. This can lead to damage in your home, such as flaking paintwork, peeling wallpaper or black mould.
Black mould can grow on any surface, but common places include windowsills, ceilings or walls. If you notice mould forming, it’s important that it is treated straight away as it can spread quickly and be harmful to your health.
How to treat
Using a clean cloth and a white vinegar spray is an effective way to treat and remove small areas of mould. White vinegar can be used safely on most surfaces and will penetrate porous materials to kill the mould at the roots.Quick tip
If mould returns after cleaning it away, a structural issue may be the cause.
Healthy Home Top Tips
Heat your home
- It is better to heat your home gently throughout the day than to heat it for a brief period.
- Don’t trap heat - ensure large furniture is kept away from radiators as it prevents heat from circulating.
- Thick curtains above radiators will stop heat from escaping.
- Keep curtains/blinds open on sunny days to help warm rooms.
- Keep doors open in rooms that get lots of sunlight - this will allow the warm air to circulate throughout the house.
Treat problem areas
- Wipe down windows and windowsills to keep them dry and dry the cloths outside.
- Remove and kill mould by wiping down surfaces with a fungicidal wash. Ensure the wash carries a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ‘approval number’. Keep the cleaner in contact with the mould for a few seconds to make sure it penetrates and kills it before you wipe it off.
- When you redecorate, use a good quality anti-fungicidal paint to help prevent mould appearing again.
We also offer our customers a Hygrometer/Thermometer, which allows you to quickly and easily monitor the humidity and temperature in your home.
Escalating your concerns
If you have informed us of a damp and mould problem and we have not resolved the issue to your satisfaction, please escalate the issue using our complaints process.
You can find the full complaints policy and procedure here.
View or download our leaflet below. You can browse it online or save it for later.
Orwell Housing Association's damp and mould self-assessment
We undertook a damp and mould self-assessment in line with the Housing Ombudsman’s recommendations to social landlords. Our Customer Insight Committee approved this document and its contents in September 2025.
