Damp and Condensation
If you notice damp or mould appearing in your home please contact us or fill in the form below, so we can investigate the issue as soon as possible and work with you to help resolve it. There may be some simple solutions to help reduce the issue, or we may need further investigations to find any underlying causes of damp.
Report an issue with damp/mould
If you are unsure you can read more below about the causes of damp and how we might help to tackle any issues.
If you'd like to read our Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy click the button below.
What is condensation and how does it lead to damp and mould?
There is always moisture in the air, even when you cannot see it. When the air gets colder, it cannot hold all the moisture and tiny drops of water appear, particularly on cold surfaces - this is condensation. Condensation can lead to mould.
Mould will appear as small black and green spots. Mould is a living organism so needs killing to get rid of it. To do this you can wipe down affected areas with a fungicidal wash following manufacturer’s guidelines. The only lasting way to avoid severe mould growth is to eliminate the moisture in the air.
Key areas that are prone to damp appearing are above skirting boards on external walls, bathroom and kitchen ceilings, corners or edges of first floor bedrooms or near loft hatches, doors or windows.
Why does my home suffer from mould, but others don't?
Every property is different, but all homes will experience some form of condensation, if there is not sufficient ventilation available. This could mean switching on extractor fans or simply opening windows during high moisture activities such as bathing or cooking.
The south west is a particularly prone area to condensation due to the amount of moisture naturally in the air. This means that we need to do more to keep our homes ventilated. Other additional factors could be the age of the property, the heating and insulation. If you have condensation in your home and it's leading to damp and mould please contact us as soon as you spot any issues so we can survey your property to see what else may be able to be done to help.
What should I do if I spot damp or mould in my home?
At NDH we have a hands on approach to investigating the causes of damp and mould with the aim of eliminating it. It's vitally important that you report it to us at the first sight of any damp or mould in your home so we can get to the root of the issue before it gets worse. It might be a bigger issue such as a roof or plumbing leak so it's important you report it at the earliest chance.
Damp and mould can be caused by a number of factors and we want to work with customers to find the problem and tackle it together.
What do you do if I report damp in my home?
For all cases we will carry out a survey of the issue, which we will send you a report of. We will highlight actions within that report that can improve the situation and will work with you to carry out those actions. For some properties this could mean things like improving ventilation, installing insulation or even upgrading heating systems if that is required.
What can I do to help reduce the chances of damp appearing?
You can also help reduce the chances of mould in your home by following some of the tips below. But, most importantly, if you notice any damp or mould in your home please contact our team in the first instance so we can help work with you to advise on any additional measures that could be done.
- Ensure you turn on extractor fans where available in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Open your windows slightly throughout the day, particularly in rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, during high-moisture activities such as bathing and cooking.
- If available keep your trickle vents open at all times, this won't reduce the core temperature of your home but will help to remove the moisture in the home.
- Keep your heating on a low setting all year around in all rooms, the daily recommended temperature for your thermostat is 18 degrees and will help reduce the cold spots in your home.
- Keep furniture away from external walls of your home to allow the air to circulate.
- Cook with saucepan lids on to reduce the moisture in the air.
- Dry your clothes outside wherever possible or use a drying rack in a room with an open window.
- If using a tumble drier, make sure it is correctly installed and ventilated as per the type of drier.
- If your home is considered as overcrowded, you will have a higher moisture content in the air. This means you will need more ventilation and will need to take more measures to stop the build-up of damp and mould. If this is the case, please get in touch as we may be able to help with a bespoke solution as traditional methods will not be enough to ventilate your home.
What can I do if I can't afford to heat my home?
Damp aside, whatever situation you are in we are here to help. If you are going to struggle to heat your home this winter please do not suffer in silence. Our team are here to help in whatever way we can. Please arrange an appointment with our Money Matters Support Team who will be able to help you in this situation. You don't need to have damp appearing to speak to a member of this team for help.
How can I complain about my home or the service I've received?
As your landlord we want to ensure you are living in a comfortable and safe home. If for whatever reason you are unhappy with your home or the service you've received from us please complete a feedback form and we will fully investigate and do whatever we can to help the situation.
Our complaints process is non-judgemental and fair with escalation levels if you are unhappy with our investigation.
Be aware of solicitors claiming to be able to help with things such as disrepair claims if you have defects in your home such as damp. Often this can tie customers in to claims and can lead to bills worth thousands of pounds. They will advise customers not to engage with us on repairs which can lead to more problems.
