Council leaseholders

As a leaseholder, you’re responsible for maintaining the inside of your home, this includes preventative methods for damp, mould and condensation. It is also your responsibility to ensure any issues in your home do not impact on fellow neighbours and you should keep your home in good state of repair. Read more about your responsibilities. 

We are responsible for maintaining the structure of your home, and all shared areas. For damp and mould this relates to the building's structure such as the roof and guttering. Read more about our responsibilities. 

Avoid disputes with a comprehensive property survey 

Before buying a property, we would advise having a licensed professional conduct a detailed property survey. This could help prevent disputes in the future. 

What causes damp?

Damp is caused by water finding its way into a property. Different types of damp affect homes, they are: 

• Condensation damp happens when moisture generated inside the home cools and condenses onto colder parts of the building (for example, window frames, corners, and low points on walls behind sofas or wardrobes). This is the most common form of damp.
• Rising damp is moisture from the ground that rises through parts of the building in contact with the ground (walls and floors); it is usually found in older properties and is often misdiagnosed. Often, it is due to defective damp proof courses and membranes. This is the rarest form of damp.
• Penetrating damp is water that gets into the building from outside due to defects in the walls, roofs, windows, or floors.
• Traumatic damp can be caused by leaking water from waste and heating pipes, overflowing baths or sinks, burst pipes or defective water storage vessels inside the building. Traumatic damp can also originate from outside the property, for example, from another building or from environmental flooding.

What causes mould?

Mould is a type of fungi. Moisture in the home is often caused by damp, leaks or condensation that can cause mould to grow. Mould can grow quickly on damp surfaces. It can look like black stains, or specks of black, orange, green or brown.

What is condensation?

Condensation occurs when moist air meets a colder surface, like a wall or window. This then forms water droplets.

How will we help treat damp and mould? 

Resolving damp and mould can be complex, and sometimes multiple fixes are needed. 

If you suspect the damp and mould is caused by a structural building issue, please report this to us by completing our online e-form.

For other causes of damp and mould, generally, you should wash and clean any affected surfaces with a fungicidal wash. But to solve the root of the problem, you may wish to hire a surveyor to investigate further, as there can be many possible causes of damp and mould.