News from 2 April 2026
Find help with safety checks and inspections.
Government guidance on damp and mould in rented homes was refreshed on 1 April 2026. It covers social and private rented housing in England and explains why reports need prompt attention, investigation and repairs.
Who the guidance covers
The guidance applies in England and is aimed at both social and private rented housing providers, including private landlords and managing agents. It was produced in response to concerns raised after the death of Awaab Ishak and is unusually direct about the health risks involved.
Its core point is that damp and mould mainly affect the airways and lungs, but can also affect the eyes, skin and mental health. Children, older people, people with respiratory conditions and some other vulnerable groups may be at greater risk of serious harm. Damp and mould can affect health.
The guidance also pushes back against a familiar bad habit: treating visible mould as the whole issue. Simply cleaning the surface does not solve the problem if the real cause is a building defect, poor ventilation, ineffective heating or a wider condensation pattern.
Responding to a damp or mould report
When a tenant reports damp and mould, landlords are told to respond sensitively and with urgency, assess the severity of the issue and consider the possible health risk to the occupier. The guidance says landlords should not delay action while waiting for medical proof.
It also recommends documenting the issue properly before mould is removed. That means photographing the location, recording what has been found and using that evidence to help identify the source. Tenants should be told what steps will be taken, what work is planned and what timeframe applies.
Just as importantly, the guidance says the underlying cause must be tackled promptly. That may mean dealing with leaks, inadequate ventilation or thermal problems rather than just sending someone to wash down a wall. After remedial work, the home should be inspected again at least 6 weeks later to check whether the problem has genuinely gone away.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Damp and mould: understanding and addressing the health risks for rented housing providers
- GOV.UK: Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home
- GOV.UK: Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) guidance
- GOV.UK: Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 guidance
