DAMP weather can bring mould into homes, and getting rid of it can be tricky.
Mould and mildew are caused when there is a high level of moisture in the air in your home.
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Typically, mould will only start growing on a surface that’s been wet for at least 24 hours.
The issue is usually worse in humid rooms, like your bathroom, which can steam up after a hot shower.
The problem can cause unappealing patches to appear on your walls, and could even affect your health.
But there are ways to prevent mould from building up in your home.
The key to avoiding it is having a well-ventilated home, according to experts, and in most cases, you won’t even need to open the window.
Opening the trickle vent in your window frames is a good way to make sure your home is ventilated without letting heat escape.
As of June 2022, building regulations call for improved ventilation to help improve the air quality within the home, in order to reduce moisture and damp.
It means modern windows typically have trickle vents to help ensure there is regular air flow in a property.
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Having sufficient ventilation, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where there is more moisture in the air, is also key.
It will help prevent condensation and mould.
It’s also important not to block trickle vents in windows because this can cause condensation as the moisture has nowhere to escape.
If you live in an older property, and you don’t have trickle vents, don’t worry – there are still other ways you can prevent mould from entering your home. We explain below.
How can I avoid mould in my home?
We tested out some top hacks for tackling mould to see how effective they are.
Dehumidifiers are a good idea to keep by windows to prevent condensation from collecting – shoppers have even spotted one that costs £50 from Argos.
And they don’t cost much to run either – according to experts at Uswitch, dehumidifiers normally use 185W – so they usually cost about 6p an hour to run.
There’s also the trick of placing salt in a bowl and hoping it catches mould – our reporter Harriet Cooke said it worked quite well.
And, costing £1.70 for 500g from Tesco, salt isn’t too expensive to buy either.
You can read a full list of mould prevention hacks and our verdict in our test here.
What are your rights if there’s mould in your rental property?
If you’re renting your home, the government has set out clear rules for any landlord to follow.
Here are a few things to remember if you think your house isn’t up to scratch:
You can’t be charged admin costs or renewal fees
Estate agents and landlords are banned from charging tenants extra fees to cover administration costs, such as removing mould.
You may be entitled to a payout if your landlord refuses to carry out repairs
Your landlord is responsible for most of the repairs that need to be carried out on your home.
According to housing charity Shelter, these include fixing issues with the electrical wiring, gas pipes and boilers, heating and hot water, sinks, baths and toilets.
And RSH has confirmed landlords are responsible for dampness and mould too.
Tenants are responsible for repairing their own furnishings, such as a fridge or freezer if the property is let unfurnished.
You may be entitled to compensation from your landlord if they fail to carry out repair work within a reasonable time, or if your house is unfit to live in due to poor conditions.
This may be in the form of a rent reduction or a payout.
If your landlord agrees to this, Shelter advises you to get it in writing.
If your landlord won’t agree, renters can take legal action to claim compensation either during the tenancy or after it ends.
Renters can sue landlords over damp and mould
Renters in England and Wales can take their landlords to court over problems including cold and damp homes.
Landlords must already make sure that your home is fit to live in under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act and tenants can sue for compensation if their home isn’t up to scratch.
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