How we deal with damp and mould in your home.
You can also take steps to manage damp and mould while we try and resolve it.
After you’ve reported
For tenants
We’ll be in touch within 5 working days.
We’ll work with you to identify the causes of damp and mould and understand the impact it has on your life.
We’ll assess how urgent your report is and clearly explain the timelines for action.
Fixing damp and mould can be complex and may require several steps. Depending on the urgency, we’ll outline the timescales and keep you updated throughout the process.
Sometimes more than repairs are needed. We may refer you to our support services if required – for example, if you’re having trouble heating your home.
While we try and deal with the problem, you can take steps to manage damp and mould yourself.
For Homeowners
Try and figure out if you can identify the cause of the damp, mould and condensation.
Check the terms of your lease to figure out who is responsible for fixing the cause.
Contact MTVH if you know we are responsible for the building defects, or if you are unsure.
If we identify that the problem is your responsibility, we’ll let you know and may signpost you to the insurance policy included in your lease for further support.
What happens after we’ve done the work
For minor cases of damp and mould, we’ll resolve the issue promptly and close the case once the work is complete.
For severe cases of damp and mould, we’ll monitor the work we’ve done, or the support we’ve provided over a 12-month period. This is to make sure that the issue has been resolved and does not reoccur, across all seasons.
We’ll take further steps if there are still issues.
Damp
Damp occurs when water finds its way into a property, usually from outside.
This can happen in a few ways, including:
- Damaged gutters.
- Broken roof tiles.
- Through the foundations of your home (called rising damp).
Damp may also be caused by an internal leak. It should be easy to identify as a dark, wet patch that may also cause flaky plaster and a pungent smell.
Mould
Mould is a kind of fungus that develops from airborne spores.
It usually grows in damp conditions without much airflow, which is why bathrooms and loft spaces often suffer from mould.
Mould can appear in different colours, but it’s often dark and spotty.
Condensation
Condensation is a build-up of moisture that usually occurs on windows and walls when there is too much humidity in the air.
The humidity causes water droplets to form and soak into the cooler areas of a room, like external walls and windows.
This can result in mould growth if not treated.
Keep your home well ventilated
- Keep trickle vents open.
- Open windows in good weather.
- Open kitchen and bathroom windows when you’re showering or cooking – and keep them open for a short time after.
- Use the boost function on extractor fans during cooking or bathing and keep doors and windows shut.
- Dry clothes outside if you can.
- Use an extractor fan or open a window if you’re drying clothes indoors.
- Place large furniture slightly away from walls (especially outside walls) so air can circulate behind.
Try to heat your home
- Warmer air can hold more moisture – so if a property isn’t heated, it takes a smaller amount of moisture to cause condensation.
- Try and keep your home heated to a comfortable level. Use your thermostat to try and maintain a temperature of at least 16 degrees.
- Read advice and get support if you can’t heat your home.
Report any issues to us as soon as possible
Or request a repair for things like:
- Internal or external leaks.
- Broken extractor fans or trickle vents.
Damp and mould policy
Our policy provides more information about how we work and the standards we hold ourselves to, including new practices outlined in Awaab’s law.
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