Information for Renters & Landlords

Mould HQ provides clear, evidence-based guidance to help renters and landlords understand damp and mould, their potential health implications, and where responsibilities typically sit.

Damp and mould are complex. While everyday living creates moisture, persistent or recurring mould growth often signals underlying building, ventilation, or maintenance issues that need proper investigation.

If your home is affected by damp or mould:

• You are entitled to live in accommodation that is safe, healthy, and fit for habitation
   
• Ongoing mould, musty odours, water ingress, or excessive condensation may indicate building-related problems
   
• Structural damp, leaks, and inadequate ventilation are not the tenant’s responsibility to diagnose or fix
   
• Reporting issues early can help prevent escalation and protect health
   

Mould HQ's role is to help you understand when mould may indicate a wider issue and what questions to ask.

Landlords are responsible for ensuring rented properties do not pose a risk to occupants’ health. This includes:

• Understanding common causes of damp and mould
   
• Responding appropriately to reports of moisture or mould
   
• Avoiding assumptions about tenant behaviour without evidence
   
• Ensuring any remedial work addresses root causes, not just visible mould
   

Clear information supports better decisions, healthier homes, and better long-term outcomes for properties.

Awaab’s Law was introduced following the death of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old child whose fatal respiratory illness was linked to prolonged exposure to mould in social housing.

The law strengthens expectations around damp and mould management by requiring:

• Prompt investigation of reported damp and mould
   
• Recognition that mould can pose serious health risks, especially to children
   
• Timely action where serious hazards are identified
   
• Greater accountability where problems are not addressed
   

Awaab’s Law currently applies directly to social housing, but reflects a wider shift in expectations across the rental sector as a whole.

Mould HQ was created to:

• Improve understanding of damp and mould
   
• Reduce misinformation and blame
   
• Promote health-protective, evidence-informed thinking
   
• Support clearer conversations between renters and landlords
   

Information is the first step toward safer, healthier homes.