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If you’re living with damp and mould that keeps coming back, despite repeatedly reporting it to your council or housing association, you may feel like you’ve run out of options. Repairs may have been promised but never completed, contractors may have only painted over the problem, or you may be increasingly worried about what the conditions in your home could be doing to your family’s health.
After weeks or months of getting nowhere, it can be difficult to know what to do next. You may be unsure whether the problem is serious enough to make a claim, worried about the cost of legal help, or concerned that taking action could affect your tenancy.
If your landlord has failed to deal with repairs they are responsible for within a reasonable time, you may be able to make a Damp and Mould Claim. A successful claim can help ensure the underlying problems are properly repaired and secure compensation for the effect the disrepair has had on you and your household.
You don’t need to understand housing law or have everything documented before speaking to us. We’ll listen to what has happened, assess your circumstances and explain your options clearly, so you know where you stand and what you can do next.
SDS Solicitors has more than 25 years of legal experience. Our Housing Disrepair team is led by our Managing Director, Sheldon Davidson, a qualified solicitor with experience pursuing Damp and Mould Claims against landlords. Sheldon and his team bring that wider legal experience to housing disrepair cases, helping tenants understand their rights, challenge poor conditions and pursue appropriate outcomes.
Your initial consultation is free and without obligation. If we can accept your Damp and Mould Claim, we’ll confirm whether we can represent you on a No Win, No Fee basis, so you know the financial position before deciding whether to proceed.
If you’ve reached the point where you need someone else to take your concerns seriously, contact SDS Solicitors today and find out how we can help.
Damp occurs when excess moisture builds up within a property. If the underlying source of that moisture is not identified and repaired, it can create the conditions in which mould grows and spreads.
You may notice black, green or other patches of mould appearing around windows, ceilings, walls or behind furniture. There may also be peeling wallpaper, damaged plaster, persistent condensation, musty smells or walls that feel cold and damp to the touch.
Common causes of damp and mould can include:
Simply cleaning or painting over mould does not necessarily solve the problem. Where mould is being caused by a defect in the property, the source of the moisture may need to be properly investigated and repaired.
This is particularly frustrating when you have already reported the problem, allowed contractors into your home and repeatedly explained that previous repairs have not worked.
Sheldon Davidson LL.B (Hons)
Managing Director
Landlords have legal responsibilities to keep rented homes in repair and ensure they are fit to live in. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, this generally includes responsibility for the structure and exterior of the property and certain installations for water, sanitation and heating.
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 also requires relevant rented homes to remain fit for human habitation. Damp and mould are among the hazards that can be relevant when assessing whether a home is fit to live in.
If you rent from a council or housing association in England, you may also have additional protection under Awaab’s Law. Introduced following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak after prolonged exposure to mould in his home, the law places time-bound duties on social landlords to investigate and address certain hazards. Since 27 October 2025, these requirements have applied to significant damp and mould hazards and emergency hazards.
This means social landlords cannot simply leave serious reports of damp and mould unresolved indefinitely. Where the requirements apply, landlords must investigate within prescribed timescales, provide tenants with written information about their findings and take action to make the property safe within the required timeframe. Emergency hazards must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours.
However, the presence of mould does not automatically mean that your landlord has breached their legal duties. Responsibility will depend on the circumstances, including what is causing the problem, the seriousness of the hazard, when your landlord became aware of it and what action they took in response.
If you have reported recurring damp and mould and your council or housing association has failed to properly investigate or resolve the problem, Awaab’s Law and wider housing legislation may give you important legal protections. Our housing disrepair solicitors can assess what your landlord should have done and whether you may have grounds to take further action.
Living with persistent damp and mould can affect much more than the appearance of your home. When the problem spreads from one room to another or keeps returning after being cleaned, it can change how you and your family live day to day.
You may find yourself moving furniture away from damp walls, avoiding certain rooms or constantly cleaning mould only for it to return. In more serious cases, bedrooms can become difficult to use, children may be sleeping close to mould-affected walls, and you may feel unable to keep your home warm, dry and comfortable despite your best efforts.
Damp and mould can also damage your belongings. Clothing, bedding, mattresses, carpets, furniture and personal possessions can become stained, mouldy or unusable. Replacing these items can create an additional financial burden, particularly when the underlying problem has still not been fixed.
Living in a damp and mouldy home can also affect your health and well-being. Exposure to damp and mould is associated with respiratory problems, allergies, asthma and other physical symptoms. Babies and children, older people and those with certain existing health conditions can be particularly vulnerable.
The emotional impact should not be overlooked either. Constantly worrying about your children’s health, watching mould spread across your home and repeatedly trying to get your landlord to act can leave you feeling stressed, frustrated and exhausted.
Your home should be somewhere you and your family can feel safe and comfortable. If damp and mould are preventing that, and your landlord has failed to properly address the cause, you should not have to simply accept the conditions you are living in.
If your landlord has failed to deal with damp and mould they are legally responsible for, you may be entitled to compensation as part of a Damp and Mould Claim.
Compensation is not simply about the visible mould on your walls. A claim can take into account how serious the disrepair has been, how long you have lived with it and how it has affected your use and enjoyment of your home.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to claim compensation for:
The amount of compensation you could receive will depend on the individual circumstances of your case. There is no fixed payout for damp and mould, and we would be cautious of anyone promising you a particular amount before properly assessing what has happened.
Importantly, a housing disrepair claim is not only about compensation. Where your landlord has failed to carry out repairs they are responsible for, legal action can also be used to push for the underlying defects to be properly addressed, rather than leaving you to live with another temporary fix.
At SDS Solicitors, we will assess how the disrepair has affected you, your household and your home before advising you on what your claim may include.
You may be worried that you cannot make a Damp and Mould Claim because you have not kept every email, taken photographs from the beginning or recorded every time you contacted your landlord. Do not let that stop you from seeking advice.
The evidence needed will depend on your circumstances, and our housing disrepair solicitors can help you understand what may be available and what else might be needed to support your claim.
Useful evidence can include:
Evidence that you reported the problem to your landlord can be particularly important. Keeping a simple record of when you contacted them, what you reported and how they responded can help establish how long they have been aware of the conditions.
In some cases, an inspection by an independent expert may also be needed to identify the cause of the damp and mould, assess the condition of the property and determine what repairs are required.
Even if your evidence is limited, speak to us before assuming you do not have a claim. We can assess what you already have and explain what further evidence may be needed.
Dampness and mould can develop for various reasons, including structural issues, poor ventilation, and persistent leaks.
If your landlord has failed to resolve these problems despite being notified, they may be in breach of their legal obligations, and you are entitled to pursue a claim for disrepair.
The service I was given was excellent. I had no problem with getting in touch with my solicitor or a member of staff at any time. They were always extremely helpful with my housing disrepair case. I would like to thank all the staff for their time and effort they have put in for me.
Once your landlord has failed to deal with damp or mould within a reasonable time, you may be eligible to claim compensation. The value of that claim depends on how serious the issue is and the evidence that supports your case.
At SDS Solicitors, we look carefully at the full picture, not just what’s visible in your home, but how the problem has affected your health, your belongings and your day-to-day life.
To calculate the value of your claim, we consider:
You don’t need to have all of this ready when you speak to us. As your solicitors, we guide you through the process of collecting the right evidence and present a clear, well-supported claim to your landlord or the court.
The better the evidence, the stronger the case and the more likely it is that you’ll receive a fair outcome.
If you’ve been living with damp or mould and your landlord has done nothing to put it right, we will make sure your claim reflects the full impact on your life, not just the repairs needed.
If you have repeatedly reported damp and mould but the problem remains unresolved, getting legal advice early can help you understand what your landlord should be doing and what options are available to you.
You do not need to wait until the mould becomes unbearable or causes further damage before asking for help. Acting sooner can also make it easier to preserve evidence, establish how long the problem has been present and prevent the condition of your home from deteriorating further.
We understand that taking legal action against your council or housing association can feel daunting. You may be worried about the cost, whether you have enough evidence to make a claim, or whether speaking up could put your tenancy at risk. Our housing disrepair solicitors can explain your rights and the claims process clearly before you decide how you want to proceed.
Where you have grounds for a Damp and Mould Claim, legal action can be used to pursue the repairs your landlord is responsible for and seek compensation for the impact the disrepair has had on you.
The longer serious damp and mould is left unresolved, the greater the impact can be on your home and family. Contact SDS Solicitors for a free, no-obligation assessment and find out where you stand.
We understand that taking legal action can be daunting, especially when you’re already dealing with the stress of living in a property affected by disrepair.
To help make the process as accessible as possible, we offer our services on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that there are no upfront costs for you to worry about. You won’t need to pay any legal fees unless your claim is successful, allowing you to focus on securing the repairs and compensation you deserve.
While you won’t be required to pay anything at the outset, if your claim is successful, a success fee may be deducted from the compensation you are awarded. By having an open discussion with your solicitor, you can make an informed decision and move forward with confidence, knowing exactly what to expect throughout the process.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you regain your peace of mind and a safe, healthy living environment.
If you’ve been living with damp, mould or fungus and your landlord has failed to put things right, you don’t have to deal with it alone. With over 25 years of experience in housing disrepair, SDS Solicitors is here to help you take action, get your home repaired, and recover the compensation you deserve.
SDS Solicitors was established in Manchester in 1997 and has grown to become one of the UK’s leading firms for housing disrepair and tenant claims. We help tenants across England take legal action against landlords who fail to fix dangerous damp and mould problems.
No matter where you live in England, our experienced housing disrepair claims specialists can help you. We operate on a No Win No Fee basis, so if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay any legal fees.
You have the right to live in a safe, healthy home. Contact SDS Solicitors today and let us help you put things right.
Yes, you may still be able to make a claim, even if your landlord says the mould is your fault. Landlords often try to blame tenants for poor ventilation or lifestyle habits, but in many cases, the issue is linked to structural problems, poor insulation, or faulty heating and ventilation systems.
To hold a tenant responsible, the landlord must provide evidence that the mould was caused purely by how the property was used, not by something they should have maintained. In reality, mould often develops due to rising damp, leaks or condensation problems that the landlord is legally required to address.
If you’ve reported mould and your landlord hasn’t taken reasonable steps to investigate or carry out repairs, you may be entitled to bring a Damp And Mould Claim against your landlord under housing disrepair law.
No, you cannot be legally evicted for making a housing disrepair claim against your landlord. Tenants are protected by law from retaliatory eviction, especially if the property is in poor condition and the landlord has failed to carry out necessary repairs.
This protection applies to both council and housing association tenants, as well as many private renters. If your landlord attempts to evict you shortly after you raise a repair issue or bring a claim, they may be acting unlawfully.
At SDS Solicitors, we have extensive experience in protecting tenants' rights. If you're concerned about your tenancy, we can advise you before starting your Damp and Mould Claim to ensure you’re fully protected.
Awaab’s Law applies specifically to social housing providers in England, including councils and housing associations. It places a legal duty on these landlords to investigate and resolve damp and mould within strict timeframes. Private landlords are not currently bound by Awaab’s Law, but they still have legal responsibilities under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
If you rent from a private landlord and mould is affecting your health or living conditions, you may still be able to make a claim. The law still requires all rented homes to be safe and free from serious hazards, regardless of who owns the property.
SDS Solicitors has helped tenants across all types of housing take successful Damp and Mould Claims forward, no matter who their landlord is.
There is no single national deadline for all landlords, but repairs must be completed within a reasonable timeframe. What counts as "reasonable" depends on the severity of the problem and how it affects your health or ability to use your home.
Under Awaab’s Law, social landlords in England are now required to investigate reported health hazards such as damp and mould within 14 calendar days, start repairs within 7 days of a confirmed hazard and complete the works within a further 7 days, unless there’s a valid reason for delay.
Private landlords are not yet bound by those specific deadlines but still have legal duties under housing law. If mould is left untreated and you’ve already reported it, you may have grounds to begin Damp and Mould Claim through a housing disrepair solicitor.
The effects of mould exposure can build gradually, which means many tenants don’t realise it’s the cause of their symptoms until the damage is already done. Common warning signs include:
If you or your children have ongoing health issues and there is visible mould in your home, it’s important to see your GP. Medical evidence can support your claim and help prove the extent of the harm caused. You may also be entitled to Compensation for Damp and Mould if your landlord ignored the risks and failed to carry out repairs.
Landlords often try to claim that mould is the tenant’s fault — usually blaming things like drying clothes indoors or not opening windows. While ventilation does play a role, mould is frequently caused by issues the landlord is legally responsible for, such as leaks, poor insulation or inadequate heating and ventilation systems.To show that the mould is not due to your lifestyle, it helps to gather evidence such as:
You do not need to prove everything yourself. Our team of Damp and Mould Solicitors will help investigate the cause and present a clear case to show where the responsibility lies.
Yes, you can. If your landlord has carried out surface-level or temporary fixes such as repainting over mould or wiping down damp patches, without dealing with the underlying cause, the problem is likely to return. In these cases, they may be failing to meet their legal duty to keep your home in proper repair.
Repeated mould growth is often a sign of structural issues, poor insulation, inadequate ventilation, or ongoing leaks. Simply cleaning or painting over it does not resolve the root problem and may even make it worse over time.
If the mould keeps coming back and your landlord refuses to take proper action, you may be entitled to make a Damp and Mould Claim against your landlord for failing to meet their legal obligations.
Yes, you can include damage to your personal belongings as part of your claim. Mould and damp can permanently affect clothing, soft furnishings, bedding, furniture, and even electrical items. If the damage was caused by disrepair your landlord failed to fix, you may be entitled to compensation for the cost of repair or replacement. You should try to keep evidence such as:
Even if you no longer have the items, we can still help assess the value of what has been lost. During your free consultation, we’ll advise you on how this fits into your No Win No Fee Damp And Mould Claim.
