Damp and Mould
Damp and Mould
This is one of the most common complaints we receive from private tenants but often there are some simple steps you can take straight away to stop the problem getting worse.
Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture in the home - the trick is to identify how that moisture is entering and becoming trapped in the home.
We recommend you first read through the guides below and put in place some of the simple actions. However, if you believe the damp is being caused by a leaking roof, broken pipe or similar alert your landlord as soon as possible.
Helpful guides to identify causes of damp and mould and some solutions to try:
Causes of damp and mould
Dealing with condensation
Centre for Sustainable Energy - condensation damp and mould.
Energy Saving Trust video - how to manage condensation
Warm air is able to hold more moisture than cold air. If air lands on surfaces that are cold, it will 'condense' and water droplets will form. If the water is not removed the area can them become damp creating conditions for mould growth.
Ideally, keeping a low level of heating all of the time will help prevent cold areas in the home. It is then important to make sure the warm moisture filled air is not trapped in your home, so some low level constant ventilation is also needed, trickle vents are ideal.
Please see our Residents financial support page which has information on all types of assistance in our area.
Please contact Exeter Community Energy who can offer support and advice on managing and reducing energy bills.
If you are a tenant renting your home from a private landlord or a housing association there may be some other action the property owner can take. It is important to let them know in writing what is happening and how it is affecting your daily life.
Shelter have some helpful advice including a template letter you could use to write to your landlord.
If you have taken some action yourself and written to your landlord but have still not received an adequate response, or you feel the repairs have not helped you can refer yourself to our team of specialist officers for further help.