Practical ways to keep mould at bay all year round | Tenant news

It’s a common belief that mould only appears in cold weather, but it can thrive any time of year in the right environment.

During warmer months, humid air can get trapped in poorly ventilated homes, causing moisture to build up, putting both your health and your home at risk.

Breathing in mould can cause serious health issues like coughing, worsening asthma, and other respiratory illnesses.

It’s important to stay alert throughout the year and take steps to keep your home dry and well-ventilated to keep mould at bay.

What causes mould?

Poor ventilation is a key factor in mould, especially when homes are kept shut to stay cool or warm.

Everyday activities like drying clothes indoors, cooking without an extractor fan, or not using trickle vents can all raise humidity levels inside.

Without enough fresh air flowing through a home, moisture can settle on cool surfaces, and over time this can lead to mould patches on walls, ceilings, or window frames.

Habinteg’s responsibility

As your landlord, Habinteg has a responsibility to address mould and condensation in your home.

The Regulator of Social Housing requires us to act quickly when problems are reported and to keep a condition report of every property.

From October 2025, Awaab’s Law will also come into effect. It will give social landlords strict deadlines to fix serious hazards like condensation and mould.

We’re already taking steps now to improve our processes, providing faster repairs and better support for tenants dealing with mould issues including:

• Conducting training for all staff to help identify cases of damp and mould
• Introducing a new Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy
• Making improvements to internal systems to effectively manage cases in our homes.

What actions can you take?

You can ensure you:

• Open windows each day
• Use extractor fans after cooking or showering
• Avoid drying clothes indoors
• Wipe down any wet surfaces, like windows or bathroom walls
• Close curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day to reduce moisture buildup
• Avoid blocking vents and keep furniture a few inches away from walls.

Even with these steps, mould can appear. If it does, it’s important to report it to us straight away so we can help. Contact our Customer Services Team on 0300 365 3100 or email them at direct@habinteg.org.uk.

You can also report any issues using the mould and damp form on our website.

For more information, visit www.habinteg.org.uk/mould-and-condensation.

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