A Blog For Mums
There’s nothing quite like the smell of damp to make you worry about your home—and when you’ve got young kids to think about, it’s not just unpleasant, it’s genuinely concerning. Mould in a rented house isn’t something you should have to just live with, and thankfully, the law agrees.
If you’re currently dealing with mould in your home and wondering what your landlord is supposed to do about it (or what to do if they’re ignoring it), this post will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll also look at what might be causing it in the first place, and what responsibilities you might have as the tenant.
Whether you’re after quick answers or want to understand the full picture, it’s all here—without any waffle.
In most cases, yes—they are.
Landlords have a legal duty under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to keep the property in a decent condition. That includes looking after the structure of the building, making sure it’s free from serious damp, and keeping essential things like heating and ventilation in working order.
There’s also the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, which basically says rented homes must be safe and suitable to live in—not just on day one, but for the whole length of the tenancy.
If the mould in your home is being caused by something like a leaky roof, rising damp, faulty extractor fans or poor insulation, it’s your landlord’s responsibility to put it right. And not eventually—promptly.
If it was just a cosmetic issue, it would still be annoying. But the truth is, mould can be a real health hazard—especially for children.
Mould spores can trigger breathing problems, coughing, skin irritation and asthma. If your little one already has sensitive skin or allergies, it’s even more of a problem. And babies, with their developing lungs, are particularly vulnerable.
So if you’re feeling like you’re overreacting by asking your landlord to sort it—you’re not. You’re protecting your family, and you have every right to demand a safe place to live.
Mould loves moisture. It turns up when there’s too much damp in the air or in the walls, and not enough ventilation to clear it out. Some common culprits include:
Understanding the cause is key, because it affects whether the landlord is responsible—or whether they might try to put it on you.
If the mould is due to problems with the building—like broken guttering, cracked walls, faulty windows, or heating that doesn’t work—that’s firmly in landlord territory.
Even if it’s something like condensation, if the house doesn’t have proper ventilation or insulation to handle everyday life (like cooking dinner or bathing the kids), your landlord may still be responsible.
They’re expected to respond within a reasonable time once they’re told about it. There’s no exact number of days written into law, but 14 days is often used as a guide. If there’s a health concern involved—especially with children—it should be much quicker.
Yes, but they’re limited—and common sense plays a big part.
If the mould is mainly caused by how the home is being used—like constantly drying laundry indoors without opening a window, or not using an extractor fan when one is provided—the landlord might say it’s your responsibility.
That said, if the home isn’t set up properly for family life (no tumble dryer, no fan, windows that don’t open properly, or heating that you can’t afford to run), you’re not expected to work miracles. Living normally shouldn’t result in mould, and it’s not fair to expect you to open windows in freezing weather just to keep the walls dry.
Unfortunately, some landlords are slow to act—or flat-out refuse to acknowledge there’s a problem. If that’s where you’re at, here’s what you can do:
Ask to speak to the Environmental Health team. They can inspect the property and, if they agree there’s a hazard, issue a notice forcing the landlord to fix it. Councils take mould seriously, especially when children are involved.
If you rent through an agency, raise a formal complaint. All agents must belong to a redress scheme (like The Property Ombudsman), and if they don’t deal with the issue, you can escalate it there.
Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, you can go to court to force repairs and potentially claim compensation. You don’t need a lawyer to do this—but it’s a good idea to get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice first.
It’s tempting not to – but don’t do this without legal advice.
Withholding rent can put you at risk of eviction, even if your landlord is in the wrong. It’s much safer to follow the proper channels and get support if needed. There are legal ways to hold rent in escrow, but it has to be done by the book.
If your home is managed by a council or housing association, you still have the same legal rights—but you also have access to the Housing Ombudsman if they won’t act.
In fact, after the tragic death of toddler Awaab Ishak in 2020 (due to prolonged mould exposure), social housing landlords are now under increased pressure to take damp and mould seriously—and quickly.
You don’t have to deal with this alone. These organisations can support you:
They’ll talk you through your options and help you take the next step, whether that’s getting repairs done or holding your landlord accountable.
Dealing with mould is stressful enough without having to chase a landlord who’s ignoring the problem. But you do have rights, and there are people who will back you up.
You shouldn’t have to choose between your child’s health and your landlord’s laziness. So whether you’re living with a musty patch in the corner of the lounge or full-blown black mould in the bathroom, speak up—and keep pushing until it gets sorted.
Because your family deserves a safe, healthy home. Nothing less.
House and Home
