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We take all reports of damp and mould very seriously and we ask that if you spot any sign of damp and mould to please report it to us immediately, even if the problem is only small.

There are lots of reasons wh​y damp and mould can occur in your home.

There are also some simple things you can do to help prevent it from occurring. Below are 10 tips to reduce the risk of getting damp and mould in your home.

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If you think you have a leak

Water leaks can result in major damage, sometimes leading to you having to evacuate your home, when an early simple fix could easily have prevented it happening. Find out how to spot the signs of a water leak and what to do if you think you have a leak.

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Reporting damp, mould or condensation

If you spot a patch of damp or mould, please report it to us immediately. If necessary, we will visit your property to assess the issue and arrange for a damp and mould treatment. If the problem is more serious, we will let you know how we will undertake the repair.

Damp and mould – See it, report it!

To report an issue, call 0300 131 7300, email RepairsAndMaintenance@isha.co.uk or visit the office between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

What will happen when I report damp and mould?

To make sure every case is properly investigated, if necessary we will visit and assess your home and identify the causes.

We will discuss next steps with you and liaise with our contractors to complete the required damp and mould treatments. The length of time for the repair will depend on the seriousness of the issue. We will also offer you advice about the things you can do to help prevent damp, mould and condensation in the future.

You will find more information in our leaflet Damp and Mould, See it, Report it (PDF 778KB) Opens in a new window/tab and in ISHA's damp and mould policy (PDF, 193kb) Opens in a new window/tab.

Preventing damp and mould

Our top 10 tips video for reducing damp and mould in your home.

If you spot any sign of damp and mould, report it to us immediately, even if the problem is only small. Email RepairsAndMaintenance@isha.co.uk, call 0300 131 7300 or visit our office.

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Our top 10 tips to stop damp and mould

  1. Wipe away condensation regularly, especially from windows, window frames and walls.
  2. Clean damp spots regularly with a dampened cloth and diluted bleach to reduce the risk of it developing into black mould or mildew.
  3. Reduce the amount of moisture being created by keeping lids on pans when cooking, drying clothes outside when possible, and if you use a tumble dryer, making sure it is vented to the outside.
  4. Use an extractor fan in the bathroom and kitchen, or if one is not fitted, open a window when taking a shower or cooking.
  5. Keep your doors closed when using the bathroom.
  6. Try and keep your home at a steady temperature, even turning central heating to a low setting can help prevent condensation
  7. Dry clothes in a well-ventilated room, not on a radiator.
  8. Air your home regularly by opening windows, even for a short time.
  9. Keep trickle vents on windows open and don’t cover up air bricks.
  10. Ensure there is a gap between walls and furniture eg wardrobes, so air can circulate.

What are damp, mould and condensation?

An example of condensation on a window.

Condensation

The most common form of damp. It is caused when warm air meets a cold surface, the warm air cools quickly and creates water droplets on surfaces such as windows and walls.

An example of penetrating damp.

Penetrating damp

This is caused by water that enters the home from outside, including the walls, roof, or ceiling. Signs of penetrating damp include stains on interior walls and bubbles cracking the plaster.

An example of rising damp on a wall.

Rising damp

This form of damp enters the home from the ground. Signs of rising damp include rotting skirting boards, peeling wallpaper, and stained plaster. It typically occurs in older buildings.

Our tips leaflet for preventing problems with damp, mould and condensation.

Preventing damp, mould or condensation leaflet

You can find more information about preventing damp, mould and condensation in our leaflet.

Awaab's law

Awaab’s Law is legislation to make sure social landlords fix serious problems quickly. It is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who died from a lung condition attributed to mould in his home. As your landlord we must meet our responsibilities within certain timeframes to make sure your home is safe to live in.

We take our responsibilities to you seriously, and you can find lots of information on this webpage and others about how you can report problems, how we respond when you do and what you can expect from us, and how you can raise a complaint if you believe our service has not been up to standard.

The Government has extensive guidance for tenants on its website.

You can also find more guidance on the Make things rights website, where there are video guides and translations available. (Don’t forget there is a translation tool available on the ISHA website  - click on the drop-down language icon on the menu bar at the top of the page).