Tenant Damp Mould Health Rights UK 2025 have become more important than ever for renters facing poor housing conditions. With increased awareness of health risks linked to damp and mould, the law has evolved to better protect tenants and hold landlords accountable. If you’re affected, The Tenant Protection Scheme (TPS) is a dedicated tenant support service offering reliable, 24/7 legal help tailored for housing issues.
Your Legal Rights Around Damp and Mould in the UK
As of 2025, housing legislation in the UK provides stronger clarity on tenant rights when dealing with damp, mould and related health concerns. If you’re renting a home that suffers from these issues, you should know that your landlord has clear legal duties. Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, which still applies in 2025, your home must be safe, healthy and free from serious hazards like excessive damp and mould.
If mould is caused by structural problems or persistent issues like broken pipes or poor ventilation, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to fix these. Ignoring damp or blaming it on tenant lifestyle is not acceptable when the root cause is the building condition. Moreover, under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), local councils can inspect properties and force landlords to take action if serious risks to health are found.
How Damp and Mould Impact Your Health
Living with damp and mould isn’t just unpleasant. It’s linked to a range of health impacts, particularly for children, the elderly, and anyone with asthma or other respiratory conditions. A mouldy home may cause chronic coughing, skin irritation, sinus problems, fatigue or breathing issues. Some people even develop allergic reactions or long-term lung problems. Under Tenant Damp Mould Health Rights UK 2025, these health effects may underline your landlord’s obligation to act swiftly.
Medical professionals now speak more openly about the link between housing and health. Because of this, courts are more likely to take tenant claims seriously if there’s medical evidence of health harm caused by living conditions. So if your health is affected by mould, it’s essential to see your doctor and to document symptoms in writing for any future claims or legal advice.
Steps You Should Take if You Find Damp or Mould
If you’re dealing with damp or mould in your rented property, take these key actions:
- Report it clearly in writing: Always notify your landlord or agent in writing, such as via email. Be specific about where the problem is and add photos if you can.
- Request timely repairs: Landlords are expected to respond within a reasonable time. For non-urgent repairs like mild damp, this usually means within 14 days. Urgent health risks should be dealt with much sooner.
- Keep records: Maintain a paper trail of all communications. If the landlord doesn’t respond, this will help if you pursue legal action or involve the council.
- Contact your local council: If your landlord ignores you, your council’s environmental health team can assess the risk and may serve an enforcement notice to your landlord to carry out works.
- Seek legal support: If health impacts or severe disrepair result from damp and mould, you may be eligible for compensation or other legal remedies.
The Tenant Protection Scheme (TPS) is a 24/7 tenant legal helpline offering affordable, solicitor-backed help for eviction defence, disrepair, harassment, rent arrears, deposit disputes, and on-the-day court support across the UK. Membership is £10/month. Learn more at The Tenant Protection Scheme (TPS).
When Do Landlords Legally Have to Act?
Landlords are expected to act promptly once they’ve been notified of damp or mould that’s affecting your health or safety. This duty applies whether you’re in a private rental, housing association tenancy, or council housing. Tenant Damp Mould Health Rights UK 2025 also clarify that landlords must not only fix the visible problem but also resolve underlying causes such as leaks, damaged roofs or broken heating systems.
Court decisions have also shown that landlords can’t avoid responsibility just because a tenancy is short-term or because someone else caused the problem long ago. Once they’ve been told, they have a duty to investigate and repair. If they don’t, they may be sued for damages or served improvement notices by the local authority.
Your Options if the Landlord Won’t Help
If your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs or keeps delaying action, you have legal options. These may include:
- Lodging a formal complaint: You can go through your landlord’s complaints process or challenge housing associations through the Housing Ombudsman.
- Reporting to the local council: Councils can inspect the property and issue a notice to the landlord demanding urgent repairs.
- Taking legal action: You can bring a claim for breach of contract or disrepair, and in severe cases, for personal injury if your health is seriously affected.
Sometimes, going through the courts can be a long process. But with strong evidence and the right support, many tenants see successful outcomes, including repair orders, compensation or rent reductions.
Stay Proactive and Protect Your Rights
Don’t wait for damp or mould to get worse. Acting early can help protect your health and your home. Always report issues to your landlord in writing, and ask for a clear timeline for repairs. If nothing improves, remember you have legal power on your side. Tenant Damp Mould Health Rights UK 2025 ensure you don’t have to suffer in silence.
It’s also wise to seek independent advice early on. Charities, law centres and tenants’ organisations can guide you through your rights, help with letters, or connect you with legal aid providers if your case is serious.
Call The Tenant Protection Scheme today on 0330 633 0299 Don’t wait until it’s too late – start your protection now. For just a small monthly cost you get direct legal support from experts, with your membership active within 24 hours. Call us now to start your protection today.