Tips for preventing damp, mould and cold in your home

Most homes get condensation at some time or other. But if it happens frequently and isn’t stopped, it can lead to mould growth and damp. Luckily, there are several ways to deal with it.

Keeping your home free of damp and mould ensures a healthier living environment for you and your family.

The smell of mould without visible evidence of mould may indicate that there is mould behind a surface, such as on the back of wallpaper, panelling, ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets, behind pipes, furniture or inside heating and ventilation units.

On this page, we cover the causes of damp and mould and how to remove and prevent it.

What is damp?

Damp happens when moisture builds up in your home. This can cause mould to grow in places that are damp and not well-ventilated, like windows, walls, ceilings, and behind furniture.

Visible mould, mould odour, or water damage indicates the need for action.

What are the risks to you?

Health Problems: Damp, mould, and cold can cause allergies, breathing issues, and make asthma worse.

• Property Damage: Damp and mould can ruin your stuff and furniture.
• Higher Energy Costs: A cold, damp home is harder to heat, which means higher energy bills.

Cold homes can make you sick, increasing the risk of heart and breathing problems. Keeping your home warm helps stop dampness, prevents mould, and keeps you healthy.

Identifying damp and mould

• Observable evidence: Visible mould, mould odour, or water damage indicates the need for action.
• Penetrating damp: Water entering from outside due to defects in walls, roofs, windows, or floors.
• Rising damp: Moisture from the ground rising through walls and floors, often misdiagnosed but identifiable through visual inspection.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the most common cause of mould and happens when moisture builds up in your home. This can cause mould to grow in places that are damp and not well-ventilated, like windows, walls, ceilings, and behind furniture.

To prevent condensation and mould, the ideal temperature for living rooms is 20 degrees, 23 degrees for the bathroom and children’s rooms, and 16 degrees for the bedroom and kitchen

Reporting damp and mould

As a private rented tenant, reporting damp and mould is essential to protect your health and ensure your home remains safe and habitable.

Prompt reporting allows your landlord to address the problem quickly, preventing further damage and maintaining legal standards.

Letter templates for tenants can be found on the housing repairs of our site. 

Document the issue by taking photos and noting dates for your reports.

What happens if my landlord does nothing about the reported damp and mould?

If your landlord takes no action after you’ve reported damp and mould, you should first follow up with a written reminder, keeping a copy for your records. Continue to document the issue by taking photos and noting dates.

Your landlord should not tell you:

• to paint over mould that keeps coming back
• that the problems are just condensation without checking
• to stop doing everyday things such as cooking or showering

If there’s still no response from your landlord, report the problem via the our website housing repairs section, as they can inspect the property and enforce necessary repairs if necessary.

Additionally, you can seek advice from tenant support organisations listed below to understand your rights and explore further actions.

How to prevent damp and mould in your home

• Wipe down surfaces after cooking, showering or when you see condensation. Use a window vac, absorbent cloth or chamois wipe windows and surfaces to remove moisture.
• Fix leaks, even small ones, as they can cause dampness.
• Shut the bathroom door with the window open for 10 mins after showering. The closed door keeps the rest of the house warm and dry, while the room ventilates.
• Dry clothes outside if possible. If it’s not possible, an extra spin cycle on the washing machine can speed up the drying process.
• Invest in a dehumidifier

Keep your home warm

• Cold homes can make you sick, increasing the risk of heart and breathing problems. Don’t let the temperature of your home fall below 14 degrees.
• Maintain a Steady Temperature: Keep your home between 18-21°C. This is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than frequently turning the heating on and off.
• Don’t skip heating: To ventilate homes and prevent condensation and mould, the ideal temperature for living rooms is 20 degrees, 23 degrees for the bathroom and children’s rooms, and 16 degrees for the bedroom and kitchen.
• Stop drafts: Seal gaps around windows, doors, and chimneys. You can buy cheap draft stoppers or use rolled-up towels.

Improve ventilation

• Let fresh air into your home, especially in the bathroom after a shower. You don’t need to keep windows open all day. Instead, open them for 15 minutes in the morning and again in the evening. This will ventilate your house without losing too much warm air.
• Trickle vents should be left open if they are present in UPVC windows. Air bricks / vents should not be covered over or blocked.
• Use the extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom when you’re cooking or taking a shower.
• Keep your furniture away from the walls so air can move around.

Help and Advice

• Get information on tips, free advice and grants at
  • Exeter Community Energy  
  • Energy Saving Trust 
• If you’re over 50 contact Age UK.  
• Torbay Community helpline: 01803 446022
• Citizens Advice Bureau 

Money-saving tips

Grants

Check if You Qualify for Help: See if you’re eligible for financial assistance such as the Warm Home Discount or Winter Fuel Payment. Details can be found on the cost-of-living section of our website.

Energy Grants: Many energy suppliers offer grants to help with heating costs if you are struggling. Contact your own supplier to inquire.

Free or low-cost solutions

• Salt or cat litter in an old sock makes a great condensation catcher!
• Keep curtains open in bedrooms at night.
• A rolled-up towel makes an effective draft excluder.
• Place foil behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room.
• Open windows in bathrooms when showering or bathing (or as soon as you’ve finished).
• Open windows in kitchens when cooking.
• Don't overwater plants - it can make the air inside your home too humid. 

Reduce your energy bills

• Replace old bulbs with LED bulbs, consider energy-efficient kettles and appliances.
• If your landlord agrees, install a smart meter to manage your energy usage
• If your landlord agrees, install a water-efficient showerhead, using half the water a standard one does.
• Only boil as much water in the kettle that you need – reduce steam and save money!
• Ask your landlord about loft or wall insulation schemes. These can save a significant amount on heating costs.
• Use night storage heaters efficiently by setting them to store heat overnight when electricity is cheaper.
• Check your tariff – are you on the best package for your usage?
• Use appliances at night when electricity is cheaper and turn them off at the plug when not in use.
• Lowering your thermostat by one degree Celsius can save you around £85 a year says Energy UK.
• Turn off the tap! A running hot tap wastes 100 litres/20p in just ten minutes.
• Save around £60 per year on your energy bills by keeping their shower time to 4 minutes.
• Save money on water rates: A 4-minute shower uses just 48 litres of water v a 10-minute shower that uses 120 litres!