Mould, Condensation and Damp
Helpful information on preventing mould, condensation and damp, and how we can help
We receive many queries about how to prevent mould, condensation and damp. At Homes in Somerset, your safety is our priority, and we take all these reports seriously.
If you have concerns that you may have mould, condensation and/or damp in your own home, you can book a visit from a surveyor by requesting a repair on the Customer Portal. Alternatively, you can contact our Customer Services Team.
If you’ve made a new report about mould, condensation and/or damp, a surveyor will be assigned to you to visit within 10 days. If it is an emergency due to health considerations, then an engineer can visit within 24hrs to treat any mould.
What is the main cause of mould?
The main cause of mould within a property is condensation. Condensation is caused when moisture or water vapour within the property, meets a colder surface, for example when you have a shower and water vapour goes into the air and settles against the ceiling, window or wall. If moisture is left on a surface, this can go on to cause black mould growth, which can cause health complications.
Other common areas for condensation are where there is little air circulation – for example – behind furniture if pushed up against a wall.
Steps can be taken to reduce the risk of black mould growing. It important that you contact us if you have any concerns around mould, condensation and/or damp.
How to manage and reduce condensation
The amount of condensation produced will depend upon the following factors:
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1
How many people live in your home
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2
How you use your home (see table below)
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3
How well-ventilated your home is
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4
How warm/cold your home is
Although there is no cure for it, there are steps you can take to help.
Open the window when you go to bed at night – if too cold to do this then wipe the condensation off the windows first thing in the morning or on a weekly basis – don’t put the cloth on the radiator to dry as this will create more condensation!
- Ensure you use the extractor fan or open the window after bathing or showering to give steam (water vapour) a chance to escape
- Wipe windows, walls and any mirrors to remove condensation and also dry the shower or bath
- Keep the bathroom door closed while the bathroom is in use and afterwards to prevent the steam (water vapour) escaping to other parts of the property
- When cooking, cover pans with a lid
- Use the extractor fan or open a window to allow the steam (water vapour) to escape
- Keep the door closed to prevent the steam (water vapour) escaping to other parts of the property
- Do not place furniture right up against a wall
- Ensure rooms are adequately heated and ventilated
- Ensure any ventilation bricks are not obstructed
- Keep all glass clear of water vapour and wipe regularly
- Wipe away any moisture that has formed using a soft cloth and fungicidal solution
Leave open any trickle vents - Try and open windows when possible to keep the moisture content within the room to a minimum and allow moisture to escape
- Avoid drying clothes on radiators
- Ensure tumble driers are vented to the outside unless fitted with a condenser
If you do have to dry washing indoors then use the bathroom with the door shut and the window open - Ensure your property has a reasonable level of heating (not lower than 10 degrees in an unused room, or 16 degrees)
- It is always best to maintain a level of warmth within the property – try and avoid turning the heating on high when you are in, and then off when you are out – always keep at a steady level
Having 1 bath or shower = 2 pints of water vapour into the room
Drying wet clothes inside = 9 pints of water vapour into the room
Washing the dishes = 2 pints of water vapour into the room
Just by being in a room and breathing, we are producing water vapour into a room!
Keeping your loft space clear is important for maintaining good airflow in your home. If the space is used for storing items, it can restrict ventilation or crush insulation, which could increase the risk of condensation and black mould within your home.
It is also important to not store items in your loft space as it can be a fire and safety risk and the ceiling joists are not designed to carry the same weight as floors within your home
Awaab’s Law
On October, 27, 2025, the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 came into force. These are more widely known as Awaab’s Law.
Awaab’s Law set new legal standards for how social landlords must respond to serious health hazards in residents’ homes. This law was introduced following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s flat. His story sparked national outrage and led to calls for stronger protections for tenants living in unsafe conditions.
What Does Awaab’s Law Require?
Under the new regulations, landlords must:
– Investigate emergency hazards within 24 hours of being notified and make safe. These include risks that pose an immediate threat to health or safety.
– Investigate significant hazards, such as damp and mould, within ten working days.
– Provide residents with a written summary of findings within three working days of completing the investigation.
– Complete necessary repairs within strict periods, depending on the severity of the issue.
Offer alternative decant accommodation if repairs cannot be made within the required timescales.
What customers can expect from us?
At Homes in Somerset, we are fully committed to making sure that your home environment is a safe place to live.
For all potential issues or queries, we will take details from you regarding the issue and will arrange for a surveyor to visit you within 24 hours to assess the cause and agree on what action we will take to resolve it. You will receive a written report with the findings and the timescales for any works to be undertaken within 3 days of us completing our investigations. We will collaborate with you to arrange a convenient time for the works to take place.
What to do if you think structural issues are causing damp in your home?
Damp and mould can also be caused by structural issues with a property, such as a leak or a failed damp proof membrane.
Any damp and mould, whether caused by structural issues or not, needs to be assessed by a surveyor to allow us to fix the issue.
If you notice any damp or mould within your home, please contact us so we can investigate the issue.