Latest figures suggest that as many as 160,000 social homes in the UK are affected by problems related to mould and damp, and around 8,000 are classified as posing a serious and immediate threat to health.
Social landlords, such as housing associations and local authorities, have an obligation to ensure that tenants' homes are kept safe and in a good state of repair and that any issues reported to them are quickly resolved.
If your social landlord has not fulfilled its obligations to you regarding mould, damp or fungus in your home, you have the right to make a compensation claim and ensure the repairs are carried out - Premier Legal Assist can help you get the outcome you deserve.
Find out if you are eligible to claim against your housing association or local authority landlord for mould, fungus, and damp issues.
Based on the past 6 months' average settlement, the average compensation claim is worth £1,895 – start yours today!
Damp, mould, and fungus issues in social housing are often signs of excessive moisture in the home.
Damp typically presents as wet patches on walls or ceilings, peeling paint, musty smells, or condensation on windows. Causes include penetrating damp from leaking roofs, pipes, windows, doors, neighbouring properties, as well as rising damp from ground moisture.
Mould is a type of fungus that grows in damp conditions, often appearing as black spots on walls, ceilings, windows, or behind furniture. The most harmful type is black mould, which can release spores that trigger breathing problems, particularly in children, older adults, or individuals with asthma. Fungus can also damage the structure of the home, especially if it affects wood or plaster.
Mould, damp and fungus problems are common in social housing when buildings are poorly maintained or ventilated. If you notice signs of damp or mould, it’s important to report it to your housing association or council landlord as soon as possible; they are legally responsible for fixing serious issues.
If they don’t act, you can take the complaint to the Housing Ombudsman, the UK body responsible for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants.
Damp, mould, and fungus in social housing properties can cause a range of health problems, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, older people, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. The risks increase the longer the exposure continues.
Health issues related to prolonged damp, mould, and fungus exposure include:
In addition to health issues, these conditions can also cause damage and deterioration to personal belongings, furniture, and electrical equipment.
Landlords are coming under increased scrutiny about their response to complaints of damp and mould in their properties after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to untreated black mould in his family’s housing association flat in Rochdale.
Following Awaab’s death, the UK government is introducing Awaab’s Law to require social housing landlords to fix damp and mould problems within strict time limits to protect tenants' health and safety. Awaab’s Law will come into force in three stages:
As a tenant of any rented property from the local council or housing association, you have the right to live in a safe, warm, and dry home. Social landlords have a legal responsibility to carry out repairs reported to them in a satisfactory and timely manner; if they fail to do so, then you may be able to seek redress and make a claim for compensation.
Premier Legal Assist and our expert legal partners have experience dealing with social housing providers and the Court system – where necessary – and can help you with your compensation claim.
We understand that living in substandard damp and mouldy conditions, especially when complaints have already been raised with the housing association or council landlord, can impact both a tenant's physical and mental health, and we are committed to ensuring that our clients' voices are heard and that they receive the appropriate compensation.
Our experienced team and specialist housing disrepair solicitors are here to guide you through the process, offering expert advice and support from start to finish to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Do I have a claim for mould, damp, and fungus in my social housing property?
If you have had issues with mould, damp, or fungus in your housing association or local authority rented home and have reported it to your landlord and they haven’t taken any action to fix the issues, then you may have a claim. You have the right to live in a home that is warm, dry, and well-maintained.
You should always contact your landlord to make the repairs first. If they ignore you, fail to solve the issue, or the problem reoccurs, you can report them to the Housing Ombudsman for free.
What is the process for making a housing disrepair claim relating to mould, fungus, and damp?
If have been suffering with mould, damp, or fungus in your rented property and your landlord has not responded to your complaints satisfactorily, you may have a claim.
Fill in our claim form, and one of our specialist advisers will call you back for a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your case.
If necessary, arrangements will be made for someone to visit your home to document and take pictures of any mould, damp, or fungus.
Details of your case will be passed on to our panel of specialist housing disrepair solicitors for a free legal assessment to establish if you are eligible to make a successful claim against your landlord.
If they believe you have a case, they will contact you directly to discuss your claim, and you can relax whilst your solicitor does the rest. It may be that your landlord promptly carries out the necessary repairs, but in some cases, the claim may need to go to Court, and your solicitor will keep you up-to-date and informed throughout the process
What will it cost me to make a claim?
We do not charge for assessing your potential case against your social housing landlord. You only pay when your case is successful, and the cost will be deducted from any compensation you receive; typically, this is 25% of your total compensation.
Full details of fees will be disclosed in the paperwork you receive from the law firm handling your case. Termination fees may apply if you end the agreement with your solicitor outside of the 14-day cancellation period.
What compensation can I claim for damp, mould, and fungus?
Depending on each case, a range of different types of compensation may be available to tenants following a successful claim for damp, mould, or fungus against their housing association or council landlord.
This may include compensation for the distress and inconvenience of living in poor conditions, damage to your belongings (such as mouldy clothes or ruined furniture), and health issues exacerbated by the environment, including asthma, skin problems, or breathing difficulties.
You may also be able to claim back any money you spent on repairs and, in some cases, receive compensation for medical expenses or lost earnings if your health has been affected.
We cannot provide a definitive figure for compensation value, as this varies on a case-by-case basis. If they pursue your claim on your behalf, your solicitor will be able to provide more information.
Why should I use Premier Legal Assist for my housing disrepair claim?
We work with a panel of specialist housing disrepair solicitors who have extensive experience in this area of law, particularly in relation to mould, damp, and fungus claims. Together, the claims process is managed for you, providing you with peace of mind that your voice is being heard and your complaint is being taken seriously.
How long does the claims process take?
The length of your claim depends on several things, such as:
Because each situation is different, we can’t give an exact duration. If they pursue your claim on your behalf, your solicitor will be able to provide more information.
The Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) is a free, independent organisation that helps social housing tenants resolve complaints about their landlord. If you’re living in a housing association or council property and have reported issues like mould, damp, or repairs that aren’t being fixed properly, and your landlord isn’t responding, you can take your complaint to the HOS. They’ll look at whether your landlord has acted fairly and followed proper procedures, and they can recommend solutions like repairs or compensation.
Before contacting the Ombudsman, you need to first make a formal complaint to your landlord and give them a chance to fix the problem. If they don’t respond or you’re not happy with the outcome, you can then escalate your complaint directly to the Housing Ombudsman.
If you believe you have a mould, damp, or fungus claim against your social housing landlord and would like to speak with our team of specialist advisers, please start your claim by completing our online claim form. We will then contact you for a no-obligation consultation.
We are a claims management company. You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint, you can complain to your landlord or refer it to the Housing Ombudsman yourself for free.
Premier Legal Assist is a claims management company. You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint, you can complain to the organisation you are complaining about directly. If the issue is not resolved, you can refer it to the relevant independent Ombudsman service for free.
