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Housing · the UK
Updated September 2026

🦠 There is mould or damp in my rental — who do I report it to?

Direct answer

Mould is a health matter as well as a repair. Report it to the landlord in writing with photos and ask for the cause to be found — a leak, missing insulation, no ventilation — not just for the wall to be repainted. If nothing happens, Tenancy deposit scheme (DPS, mydeposits, TDS) (gov.uk) decides rent reduction and orders repairs; Council Environmental Health / Housing Standards (gov.uk) can inspect and declare the home unfit for habitation, which forces the landlord's hand. Shelter (0808 800 4444) advises on what you can deduct and how much rent you can withhold.

Call firstTenancy deposit scheme (DPS, mydeposits, TDS)
Report toCouncil Environmental Health / Housing Standards
If that failsShelter

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] there is mould in the [room] at [address], photos attached. It affects our health [symptoms if any]. Please have the cause investigated and repaired by [deadline]. Until then I reduce the rent by [%] from [date]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Photograph and date itWide shots and close-ups, a ruler for scale, the humidity reading if you have a cheap meter. Repeat weekly.
  2. Ventilate and heatDocument that you do — landlords blame "lifestyle" first. Airing twice a day and heating to 18–20 °C removes that argument.
  3. Report in writingAsk for the cause to be found. A repaint without fixing the cause is not a repair.
  4. Inspection: Council Environmental Health / Housing StandardsThe municipal or environmental health inspection visits, measures, and can order works or declare the home unfit.
  5. Tenancy body: Tenancy deposit scheme (DPS, mydeposits, TDS)Rent reduction backdated to the report, and an order to repair.

📇 All contacts

Tenancy deposit scheme (DPS, mydeposits, TDS)Free dispute resolution for protected depositsWhen the landlord will not agree the return🔗 www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection
Council Environmental Health / Housing StandardsUnfit housing, damp and mould, pests, noise, food hygieneWhen health is at risk at home🔗 www.gov.uk/report-problem-to-council
ShelterFree housing adviceBefore you write, and if the deposit was never protected📞 0808 800 4444🔗 www.shelter.org.uk
Your local councilNoise, waste, roads, housing standards, licensing, lost propertyFor anything the council handles🔗 www.gov.uk/find-local-council

❓ Frequently asked

Is mould really the landlord's problem?

Mould caused by the building (cold bridges, leaks, broken ventilation) is. Mould caused only by never ventilating is the tenant's. The inspection decides which.

Can I leave without notice?

If the home is unfit for habitation and the landlord will not act, most countries allow termination without notice — get the inspection report first.

Can I claim for damaged belongings?

Yes, if the cause was the building and the landlord was notified. Keep receipts and photos; contents insurance may pay first and recover from the landlord.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “mould in rental landlord responsibility the UK”
  • “damp flat rent reduction”
  • “report mould housing inspection”
  • “unfit for habitation tenant rights”
  • “mould health landlord”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🔧Landlord won't repair→💧Water leak→🔑Deposit not returned→🔊Noisy neighbours→

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