Damp and mould in housing
Condensation
One of the most common causes of damp and mould in houses is condensation. Adequate ventilation and heating are needed to prevent the problem, but we know that this can be difficult to manage for several reasons.
View more information on condensation in your property on the Property Care Association website.
Worries about the cost of heating
If you are worried about rising heating bills, make sure you are getting all the help you are entitled to from government schemes. View more information on the help for households campaign on the GOV.UK website.
Energy efficiency improvements
Improving the energy efficiency of your home can also help. If you own your own home or rent from a private landlord you may be able to get help towards the cost of energy efficiency measures such as loft insulation or a new boiler.
If you rent your home, your landlord must make sure they meet energy efficiency standards. View more information on home energy efficiency.
Portable heaters and electric blankets
If you are using portable heaters or electric blankets, make sure they are in good order.
Do not be tempted to follow 'hacks' you might read online - these can be dangerous, the fire service deal with several incidents caused by home made plant-pot and candle room heaters.
Solid fuels
If you use solid fuel, make sure you know how to use it safely to avoid the build-up of harmful gases. Have adequate ventilation and use the right sort of fuel. View a practical guide to open fires and wood burning stoves.
Faulty windows and ventilation
Make sure you can open your windows properly and that ventilation units are working. Contact your landlord or letting agent to report faults.
Other causes of damp
If condensation has been ruled out, the damp in your home could be due to a structural problem such as blocked gutters causing rain to seep into walls, a broken roof tile, or rising damp. These types of damp tend to leave a well-defined damp patch or 'tide-mark'. Defects like these must be dealt with properly. If you rent your home, contact your landlord or letting agent to report the problem; if they do not act, contact us to raise a complaint by email to info@southribble.gov.uk.
If you own your home, check whether you can claim for repairs under your buildings insurance. If you need to employ a contractor to carry out repairs, find a reputable tradesman by asking for word-of-mouth recommendations from people you trust, or use the Lancashire County Council safe trader scheme.