Landlords risk a £7,000 fine for not treating mould or damp

11 December 2025

Here’s what to do if you find mould in your home:

  • Under Awaab’s Law, landlords must investigate mould and damp within a strict timeframe
  • Public and social landlords have different regulations they need to follow
  • Landlords can face fines of up to £7,000 for first-time non-compliance
  • HG, specialist cleaning, offers some advice for solving damp and mould issues.

Awaab’s Law came into effect on 27th October, 2025, and now requires social housing landlords to address safety hazards that could be detrimental to the residents’ health, such as mould and damp. This has raised awareness about the potential dangers of mould with online searches for ‘is mould in the house dangerous’ having increased 22% on last year. This increase also highlights the need for advice on how to handle mould in the home. HG, the best known specialist mould cleaning brand, have highlighted renters’ rights when it comes to mould and damp in their home, as well as tips on how to prevent mould from occurring.


When should I let my landlord know about mould or damp?

As soon as you see signs of mould or damp in your home, you should notify your landlord straight away³. With Awaab’s Law, social housing landlords must investigate and fix emergency and significant hazards within a strict timeframe after an issue has been reported⁴. Whilst private landlords aren’t affected by Awaab’s Law, tenants should still get in touch with their landlords as soon as possible.

What are social housing landlords obligated to do under Awaab’s Law?

  • Fix and investigate emergency hazards, such as dangerous electrical faults, major leaks or damaged external doors or windows, within 24 hours of being made aware of the issue.

  • Investigate dangerous mould and damp within 10 working days, and make the area safe within a further five working days.

What are private landlords' obligations?

You’ll need to let your landlord enter your property to first assess the severity of the mould and damp. How quickly your landlord can act depends on how serious the problem is and whether anyone in your household is vulnerable⁵.

Private landlords are required to fix structural problems or faulty installations if they cause mould and damp, as well as issues such as: leaking internal pipes, broken boilers and heating systems and cracked walls and rotting window frames.

What happens if my landlord doesn’t fix the problem?

Both private and social landlords must adhere to regulations, or risk financial penalties or prosecution⁶. Landlords can risk fines of up to £7,000 for first-time non-compliance with Awaab’s Law, and up to £40,000 or prosecution with an unlimited fine for repeated or serious non-compliance.

John Zentveld at HG shares their tips on how to remove mould:

“Mould can be detrimental to your health, and renters should notify their landlords of any signs of mould and damp in their home. Whilst mould and damp could arise from deeper, structural issues, there are plenty of ways to prevent mould build-up in places such as bathrooms.

  1. Open windows after using the shower or bath.

This ensures that the bathroom won’t get too humid, which provides the perfect conditions for mould to grow. Leaving a window open or an extractor fan on for just 10-15 minutes after a bath or shower can prevent mould from growing.

  1. Use a squeegee to remove excess water

After using the bath or shower, use a squeegee to remove all water from shower screens and tiles. Doing this not only removes the chance for mould to grow, it also removes the soap scum build-up, keeping your bathroom looking fresher for longer.

  1. Don’t let the bathroom get too cold

If the bathroom has heating, keep it on, even if on a low setting. Warmer air holds more moisture than cold air.

  1. Use a dedicated mould cleaner

Products like mould spray effectively target mould on multiple surfaces, such as bathroom tiles, kitchens, sheds and even balconies. Ensure you follow directions on the bottle and wear protective gloves. Some homemade remedies, such as using white vinegar or baking soda on mould, cause more harm than good. Homemade solutions aren’t as tough on mould as targeted cleaners, which means scrubbing at the mould. It’s advised not to scrub at mould, as it can release particles into the air which can cause adverse health effects for those living in the home.

Some instances require landlord or professional involvement to properly treat mould and damp correctly. Ensure to contact your landlord if you spot any signs of mould and they can advise the next steps.