Mould in a Rented Home: What Tenants Can Do
Practical steps for tenants in England and Wales who find mould: how to clean it safely, gather evidence, report it to a landlord and escalate if nothing happens.
Mould in a rented flat or house is stressful: it affects belongings, sleep and sometimes health, and it is easy to feel blamed for it. The reality is that mould has causes, and those causes may sit with the building, with how the home is used or, often, with a mix of both. This guide covers what you can do in practice. It is general information for England and Wales; Shelter and Citizens Advice can advise on your situation.
Step 1: Work out what is likely causing it
Look at where and when it appears.
- Mould on cold external walls, window frames and in corners, worse in winter, often points to condensation.
- Mould near a leaking pipe, below a damaged gutter or after heavy rain suggests a building defect.
- A tide mark low on a ground floor wall may be rising damp.
Our guides to condensation causes and fixes and damp vs condensation help you read the clues.
Step 2: Clean it safely
- Open a window and wear gloves.
- Wipe with a damp cloth and a mould and mildew remover suitable for the surface, following the label. Avoid dry brushing, which spreads spores.
- Bag cloths and dispose of them.
- Wash or dry-clean affected fabrics, and keep wardrobes slightly away from the wall.
Take photos before you clean, so you have evidence.
Step 3: Reduce moisture in your control
You are generally expected to ventilate and heat the home reasonably. That means:
- Using extractor fans, and opening windows for short periods after showering and cooking.
- Drying laundry in ventilated spaces or with a dehumidifier.
- Keeping furniture a few centimetres from external walls.
- Maintaining a steady low background heat in cold weather.
Keep a simple note of the steps you take. It helps to show you have acted reasonably.
Step 4: Report it in writing
Email your landlord or agent with:
- Where the mould is and when it began
- Photos with dates
- What you have done to reduce it
- A request for an inspection and repair, and a timeframe
- Any impact, such as health problems in the household
Keep a copy, and note dates of replies.
What the landlord should do
Landlords are generally responsible for repairing structural causes, defective ventilation, leaks and heating failures. In England, the home must also be fit for human habitation, and serious damp and mould can be a hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. In social housing, specific rules on tackling damp and mould within set timescales apply, so check your landlord type.
If nothing happens
- Send a second written reminder.
- Contact your local council's environmental health or private sector housing team and ask for an inspection.
- Speak to Shelter, Citizens Advice or a local law centre.
- Do not stop paying rent without advice; you could risk your tenancy.
Councils have powers to require improvements where a hazard exists.
Protect your belongings and health
- Check contents insurance for damage to belongings.
- Speak to a GP if anyone has breathing problems, asthma or skin symptoms that you think are linked.
- Move bedding and clothes away from affected walls until it is resolved.
Avoid these mistakes
- Painting over mould without dealing with the cause
- Blocking vents and trickle vents to stop draughts
- Verbal-only reporting
- Using strong chemicals in unventilated spaces
- Assuming you are at fault or that you have no rights
If you need a tradesperson, ask your landlord to arrange it, or ask permission before you do. For routine help in your own home, search on Compito, compare ID-verified providers by postcode and send a request.
A worked example
A tenant reports black mould on a north-facing bedroom wall in January. They clean it, move the wardrobe a few centimetres from the wall, run a dehumidifier and use the extractor in the bathroom. A second patch appears by a window where the sealant has failed and a gutter above overflows. They email the landlord with dated photos, describe what they have done and ask for an inspection. The landlord repairs the gutter and window seal. The tenant's records show they acted reasonably, which helps when responsibility is discussed.
A simple evidence pack
- Dated photos, taken from the same spot each week.
- A short timeline of when you noticed it and what changed.
- Copies of emails or letters to the landlord or agent.
- Details of any health effects, plus GP notes if relevant.
- Receipts for cleaning products or dehumidifier use.
When to involve outside help
If the landlord does not respond after a reasonable period, if the mould is widespread, or if anyone in the home is unwell, contact the council's environmental health or private sector housing team and an advice service. In social housing, use the landlord's complaints process and, if needed, the housing ombudsman. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check the position for your nation.
Living with it in the meantime
Keep affected areas clean, avoid sleeping in the worst room if you can, and keep bedding and clothes away from affected walls. Do not paint over active mould. If you are worried about health, speak to a GP and ask for advice about reducing exposure.
After it is fixed
Ask the landlord what was done and what caused it. Keep ventilating and heating at a steady level, and check the area monthly for the next few months. A repair that fixes the cause should stop the cycle; if mould returns in the same place, report it again with the new photos.
Frequently asked questions
Can my landlord evict me for complaining about mould?
Rules protect tenants from some retaliatory action, and they have been changing. Ask Shelter or Citizens Advice for current guidance on your tenancy.
Is black mould more dangerous than other mould?
Any extensive mould can affect sensitive people. Treat all of it seriously, clean safely and fix the cause.
Should I buy a dehumidifier?
It can help as a short-term measure, but it does not replace repairs or ventilation. Ask your landlord if they will provide one.