Damp, mould and condensation

Find out how to report damp, mould and leaks in your home and what rights you have to repairs. 

Also find out how you can prevent condensation and treat mould in your home.

 

If you have damp or mould

Damp can cause mould to grow in your home, which can lead to health problems.  It’s important to report any damp and mould as soon as you notice it.

If you live in a Hackney Council home that has damp and mould

Report damp and mould to us as soon as possible by calling our Repairs Contact Centre on 020 8356 3691.

We will:

• inspect your property within 10 working days 
• send you a summary report within 3 working days of the inspection
• fix any damp and mould that could harm your health or safety within 5 working days of the inspection
• do any work to stop the issue from happening again within 12 weeks 
• complete all repair works within a reasonable time period

We’ll keep records of our work to fix damp and mould and anything that stops us from completing the work within these timescales.

If it’s an emergency

Damp and mould are considered an emergency if they cover a significant area of your home and are affecting your health. 

If our inspection finds that the damp or mould is an emergency, we will carry out repairs within 24 hours.

If your home is unsafe to live in while we do the work, we’ll offer you temporary accommodation until it’s safe to return.

If you live in a private rented home that has damp and mould

If you rent privately, report the problem to your landlord. They must take damp and mould seriously. 

Find out which damp and mould issues your landlord must fix on Shelter’s website.

If your landlord does not take action, you can report it to our private sector housing team by:

• calling 020 8356 4866 – Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
• emailing privatesectorhousing@hackney.gov.uk 

We can investigate and work with you to get the issue resolved.

Find out more about how we can help private sector tenants.

Causes of damp

Damp can be caused by:

• condensation in walls and ceilings
• leaking pipes – inside or outside your home
• rising damp –  when moisture moves up from the ground into the walls. This only happens at ground level and usually appears as a damp patch above the skirting board
• penetrating damp – caused by a problem with the building, allowing rain water to spread into the home. It can affect roofs, doors, ceilings and walls and unlike rising damp, can happen at any level
• cold bridging – when parts of the building design create cold spots, for example a concrete floor extends out to an external concrete balcony

If you have a leak

Leaks can lead to mould.

If you live in a Hackney Council home and find a leak, call our Repairs Contact Centre on 0208 356 3691.

We’ll send a plumber to fix the leak or make it safe and arrange further work if needed. 

A plumber will visit by the end of the next working day. This means that if you report a leak on a Friday, a plumber might not visit until Monday evening.

If it’s an emergency leak

If the leak cannot be contained in a bucket or other container for a long period of time, an out-of-hours plumber will visit by the end of the next day – even if you report it on the weekend.

Reducing condensation in your home

Condensation is the most common cause of mould.

It happens when moisture in the air meets a cold surface like a window or an external wall.

To reduce condensation, it can help if you:

• wipe surfaces where moisture settles
• cover pans when you cook
• close internal walls when you cook or have a shower
• avoid drying clotheson radiators 
• avoid using paraffin or portable gas heaters 
• open windows regularly
• use an extractor fan when you cook
• do not block air vents
• leave a gap between furniture and the walls

Condensation is often worse in cold homes.

If you can, heat your home to 18 degrees, or 21 degrees if you’re older, have small children, or have a health condition that makes you more vulnerable to the cold. 

If some rooms do not have heating, open doors to let the warm air move around.

Draught proofing can help keep your home warmer, but avoid draught proofing rooms where there is condensation or mould growth.

Find out more about how to deal with condensation in your home on Shelter’s website.

For advice on saving energy and keeping your home warm, contact the Hackney SHINE advice line on 0800 281 768.