Children Among Millions Living in Damp and Mouldy Homes, New Report Warns
A new report has found that more than a quarter of adults are living with damp, mould or cold in their homes, with children sharing those conditions in almost half of the worst-affected households.
More than a quarter of adults in the UK are living in homes affected by damp, mould or cold, according to research by campaign group Health Equals. The findings from a survey of 3,982 adults show that people in the poorest households were almost twice as likely to live with damp and mould as those in the wealthiest - 21% compared with 12% - and around four times as likely to live in a cold home. Among tenants, a fifth reported damp or mould, rising to 23% for social housing tenants.
Most worrying for families, nearly half (47%) of those living in damp, mouldy or cold homes had children, and more than a third lived with someone who has a health condition, such as asthma or heart failure, that can be worsened by living in unsuitable housing. Dr Andy Whittamore, a GP and clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, warned that damp or mouldy housing can trigger life-threatening flare-ups for people with asthma and COPD, and that long-term exposure can cause lung problems even in people who were previously healthy.
The research covers every type of housing, but the conditions are all too familiar to tenants renting from a council or a housing association. Government guidance warns that damp and mould can release allergens, irritants, mould spores and other toxins that are harmful to health, with the airways and lungs hit hardest, and that the risk grows the longer the problem is left. The tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in December 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s social home in Rochdale, is a reminder of how serious untreated mould can become.
What social landlords must do
Social landlords, whether a council or a housing association, must keep homes safe, habitable and in a reasonable state of repair. That means taking reported problems seriously, including damp and mould, leaks and water ingress, faulty heating, defective electrics and structural defects. Tenants should report issues as soon as they notice them, but once the landlord has been told, the responsibility to act within a reasonable time lies with the landlord.
Damp and mould are too often treated at the surface, with a mould wash or a coat of paint, when the real cause is a defect such as a leak, poor insulation, a broken extractor fan or inadequate heating. If the underlying cause is left unfixed, the mould returns. Government guidance is clear that landlords should not wait for medical evidence before acting, and that repeatedly attending without identifying the root cause is not good enough.
Awaab’s Law and faster action on damp and mould
In England, Awaab’s Law now requires social landlords to deal with certain hazards within strict timeframes. The first phase came into force on 27 October 2025, covering emergency hazards and any damp and mould that poses a significant risk of harm, with further hazards such as excess cold, structural problems and electrical faults following in 2026 and 2027. The message for tenants is that where the risk is significant, especially in homes with children or people who have health conditions, landlords are expected to act quickly.
What rights do social housing tenants have?
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords, including councils, must keep their properties in a good state of repair and fit to live in. If you have reported a problem and your landlord has failed to act, carried out poor-quality repairs, or allowed the same issue to keep returning, you have options. You can make a formal complaint to your landlord, escalate an unresolved complaint to the relevant Ombudsman, seek legal advice, or explore whether you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim. Keeping evidence, such as dated photographs, repair reference numbers, emails, damaged belongings, and a note of any illness linked to the conditions, can all support your case.
Making a complaint to the Housing Ombudsman
For social housing tenants in England, complaints about councils and housing associations can be referred to the Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS). The Ombudsman can investigate complaints, make findings and recommend action, including repairs, apologies or compensation, and the service is free to use; however, the Ombudsman process can take time, and it may not always provide the urgent or enforceable outcome tenants need. The Ombudsman can recommend action, but it cannot force a landlord to take it. For families living with mould-damaged belongings and health worries in the meantime, that can offer little urgency.
Many tenants therefore also choose to seek legal advice, particularly where damp or mould has affected a child’s health, repairs have been delayed repeatedly, the home is unsafe or unfit to live in, belongings have been damaged, or the landlord has failed to act despite repeated reports. Legal action through a housing disrepair solicitor can lead to faster, enforceable outcomes, covering both repairs and compensation, though every case depends on its own facts, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
How Premier Legal Assist can help
If you are a social housing tenant and your council or housing association has failed to deal with damp, mould, leaks or other reported repairs, you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim. Premier Legal Assist helps eligible tenants understand whether they may have a claim, and can connect them with specialist no-win, no-fee housing disrepair solicitors who gather evidence, push for repairs and pursue compensation where appropriate.
To find out whether you may be eligible, complete our short claim form or message us on WhatsApp, and a member of our team will be in touch.
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