Damp, mould and condensation
If you have any concerns about damp, condensation or mould in your home, we are here to help. Preventing and treating damp and mould is a priority for Brighter Places and we take customers concerns very seriously.
Our first priority and responsibility as a landlord is to provide you with a safe and healthy home.
Report damp and mould to us
If you spot any damp or mould in your home, let us know straight away. Use our report a repair online form below or call us on 0117 942 4600. We will arrange to come to your home to make it safe and carry out an investigation so that we can resolve the issue.
Working with you
We want to work together to find ways to resolve any problems you are experiencing.
- If possible, please upload photos or videos of damp and mould on our report a repair form or email them to us to help us understand any issues you have.
- Allow us access to your home so that we can investigate and carry out repairs within the set legal timescales in line with Awaab’s Law.
- Follow the advice we give you to prevent or reduce the risk of further issues. For example, making sure your home is well ventilated and extractor fans are on and running.
Condensation
All homes are at risk of condensation, particularly through the winter months. If you have excess condensation in your home, this can lead to problems such as mould growth, which can affect your health and the health of your home.
Small amounts of condensation are not usually a problem, and there are some everyday things we can all do to help prevent it.
We have worked with Energy Saving Trust to create a handbook and short video to help you manage condensation and maintain a healthy home.
We also share information on the different types of damp so that you can identify any potential concerns and let us know if there is a problem.
Translated versions of the handbook are available at the bottom of this page.
Awaab's Law
This law is designed to make sure that tenants live in safe, decent, and healthy homes by setting strict time limits for social landlords to fix safety hazards. It came into force in October 2025.
Damp and mould - how we respond
Our dedicated damp and mould team who will pick up any condensation, damp or mould cases and work with you to rectify the issues in your home.
- If you report damp and mould to us we will:
- Take immediate action to make your home safe (this could be an initial mould wash or another action)
- Offer you somewhere to stay if your home cannot be made safe and cover the cost until your home is safe again
- Start repairs within 24 hours if it is an emergency – e.g. a leak
- Investigate the cause of the damp and mould within 10 days of you reporting it to us
- Share the results of the investigation with you once it’s completed within 3 working days
- Complete any further work if it is needed within 12 weeks
- Once the works are completed will contact you at 3, 6 and 12 months to make sure the issue has been resolved.
Report damp and mould
Use our repairs page to report damp or mould in your home or call us on 0117 942 4600
Healthy Home Top Tips Video
How to prevent condensation
Condensation is probably the biggest cause of mould growth
Keeping your home as low in condensation as possible will reduce the risk or mould forming. To prevent mould in your home use these tips;
- Ventilation
- Open windows regularly to make sure your home is well-ventilated. Even when it’s cold, moisture will gather in your home. Opening the window allows some moisture to escape. If you have trickle vents fitted to the top of your window frames, leave them open
- When cooking or washing you should always have a window open
- Keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed when you are cooking and washing to stop moisture escaping to other areas of the home
- Cover pans when cooking
- Keep your home warm
Using your heating can help avoid cold spots, dry out damp and lower the chances of mould growth.
- Keep a warm home (ideally between 18 – 21°C).
If you’re struggling with the increasing cost of energy our keeping warm web page has some helpful advice and support.
- Air flow
Allow at least 5cm of space between the backs of the furniture and the wall. It’s a good idea to check behind furniture regularly for signs of damp and mould developing.
Try not to overfill your wardrobes as this can cause damp and mould to grow and spread. Instead allow space for air to circulate.
- Wipe away condensation
Wipe windows and sills to remove excess condensation.
Cleaning condensation from your windows and window frames daily will minimise the spread of black mould. Use a rag or towel to wipe away the condensation.
- Drying Clothes
Put clothes outside to dry if you can. If you need to dry clothes inside don’t put them directly on a radiator, instead use a clothes rack or airer.
If you have an extractor fan in your bathroom or kitchen, it’s a good idea to dry your clothes in these rooms with the fan on, the window open, and the door shut. This will help circulate air, reducing the amount of moisture on cold surfaces and the risk of mould forming on the walls and fabrics in your home.
You can also dry clothes in a well-ventilated room with the window open.
If you use a tumble dryer, ensure moisture can escape outside through a ventilation pipe fixed to an external wall or window.
- Use an extractor fan
If you have an extractor fan in the bathroom, always switch it on when you have a bath or shower. Also, use your extractor fan in the kitchen to help circulate moisture and cooking smells. If you don’t have an extractor fan, open a window to allow the moisture to escape.
What causes damp or mould?
Damp or mould is caused by moisture in the home. This can be created through day-to-day activities or be the result of a leak or water tracking into the building from outside.
What is condensation?
Condensation is the process where water vapor becomes liquid. Condensation happens one of two ways: Either the air containing water vapour is cooled and releases moisture when it hits a cold surface, such as a window, or the air becomes so saturated with water vapor that it releases moisture. It is most likely to appear on windows, colder parts of walls, around external doors and window frames and where ceilings and floors meet with outer walls. Keeping your home as low in condensation as possible will reduce the risk of mould forming.
There’s always moisture in the air, even if you can’t see it. Moisture in your home is created through everyday activities every time you wash, cook, bath, shower and even breath!
The air in your home needs to stay warm to hold onto as much moisture as possible. If the air in your home is cold it will release moisture creating condensation in your home.
Condensation also appears where there is a lack of air flow such as inside cupboards or behind furniture that has been placed against an outside wall.
Condensation is also formed in new homes as the materials used in constructing them (such as mortar and plaster) dry out gently over time.
Where does damp come from?
Damp can be caused by;
- Water rising from the ground, known as ‘rising damp’ this can only happen in ground floor rooms.
- Water coming in from the outside your home – known as ‘penetrating dampness.’
- Plumbing which needs repairing, such as broken seals around the bath, shower, or sinks.
It may or may not be clear why you have damp or mould in your home – in any case please tell us so we can fully investigate.
What to do if you think you have a leak
Leaks from roof problems (stains on ceilings and around chimney breast), pipework (including under sinks and baths) window frames, and under doors are common sources of moisture.
Please report a leak to us as soon as possible, so we can deal with it quickly.
Use a bucket or bowl to collect drips. Then use a mop or towel to keep surfaces dry while we arrange a repair.
What we will do
The measures we will take:
Working with our repairs contractors and dedicated damp and mould team we will work with you to rectify the issues in your home.
What we will do:
We listen to your concerns and take them seriously.
When you report damp and mould to us, we will:
- Take immediate action to make your home safe (for example, carry out an initial mould wash or complete emergency repairs)
- Provide you with temporary accommodation if we can’t make your home safe and cover the cost
- Investigate within 10 working days or you reporting it to us
- Tell you what we plan to do to fix the issue within 3 working days of finishing our investigation
Other ways we can help
There are other ways we can help. For example our Tenancy Sustainment Team might be able to support you to get help with your energy bills.
Healthy Home Handbook translated versions
Energy bills help and advice
If you’re struggling with the increasing cost of energy our keeping warm web page has some helpful advice and support.