Condensation, mould and damp in your home

Condensation occurs mainly during cold weather, and tends to appear in places where there is poor air circulation. Because you can’t see it, it’s often hard to realise just how much condensation there is in your home.

How can you help improve the situation?

There is no immediate and easy solution but as a tenant you need to balance three main factors which are heating, ventilation and moisture.

1. Heating

Ideally you should heat the whole home to a consistent temperature, no really hot or really cold rooms. If you're struggling to heat your home, please get in touch with us via the portal. We may be able to issue a fuel voucher!

2. Ventilation

Ventilation is essential if condensation is to be controlled. Here are some things you can do:

In winter, open windows for short periods of time each day. If draught proofing is fitted make sure there is a small space for some air to get through.

Open windows during cooking, after a bath or shower, or if the glass is misted up. This will let out moisture, but remember to close them again shortly afterwards so the rooms do not get too cold.

3. Moisture reduction

Things you can do to help are:

• Dry clothes outside if possible. If you have to dry clothes indoors use the bathroom with an open window and the internal door shut.
• Make sure tumble dryers are properly vented to the outside of house.
• Close bathroom and kitchen doors whilst cooking and bathing and open a window in that room.
• Keep lids on saucepans to reduce the steam given off.

While condensation may not be the only cause of damp and mould in our homes, thankfully it is the easiest to manage. By making a few simple changes, you can drastically reduce the risk of mould forming in your home - taking these small steps now is a lot easier than removing it once it sets in!

Already have mould in your home?

If you already have mould in your home, try to get it treated as soon as you can. At the first sign of mould, you should:

• Wipe down your walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash, following the instructions precisely.
• Have your carpets shampooed. If you disturb mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning, you may increase the risk of being affected by the mould.
• After treatment, apply a fungicidal paint directly to the wall to help prevent the mould returning. This should be applied directly to the walls, and not over ordinary paints or wallpaper.

Condensation isn’t the only cause of mould, so if the problem persists you should contact us so that we can carry out an inspection of your home and identify the cause. If you have any questions about damp, condensation or mould, or want to talk to someone about your home, you can contact us.