Damp and mould | Progress Housing Group

We know it can be worrying if you are experiencing problems with damp, mould or condensation in your home.

Different types of damp

There are three different types of damp that can affect your home:

This is uncommon and is caused by water rising from the ground. Our
homes have damp-proof materials that stop this from happening.

Defects in your brickwork, roof or plumbing

Property defects can allow water or cold air to get into your home, which can cause damp in any area of your home. You can usually notice this kind of damp more after rainfall or in the cooler months, but it can occur all year round. It is likely to be wet to touch, smells, with mould growth.

Condensation

Condensation is the most common cause of damp and mould in homes. Cooking, running taps, drying washing inside, and even breathing from people and pets produces moisture. When this moisture meets cold surfaces, it creates condensation. Condensation can cause damp and mould by soaking into surfaces like wallpaper and paint.

This kind of damp is commonly found in the corners of rooms, on gable walls or near windows and external doors. It is also found in areas with poor air circulation, such as behind furniture placed against external walls.

Report damp or mould

If your home is warm and well ventilated, and you are still experiencing damp and mould, we ask you to:

1. Report it to us

If you have damp and mould in your home, please get in touch as soon as possible so we can arrange for one of our damp surveyors to inspect your home.

Report damp and mould:

Online tenant account
Send us a message
Using live chat - available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

You can also phone us on 0333 320 4555 or visit or write to us.

2. Take photos

Once you have reported damp and mould, it is important to take photographs of the affected area to show us when we visit to inspect your home.

3. Clean the area with a mould and mildew spray

Once you have photographed the area, wash it down using a mould and mildew spray as soon as possible - do not wait for us to attend. This will help reduce the risk of mould increasing in your home and damaging your belongings.

Make sure that you read the instructions for using these products safely.

Don’t worry - we will still be able to properly assess your home from your photographs.

4. Inspection visits

Once we attend, we will look at your photographs and inspect your property to understand what is causing the issue.

We’ll also look at what we can do to stop the damp and mould coming back.

This might include chemical cleaning or specialist treatments, increasing ventilation or addressing any property defects.

Preventing damp or mould

Here are our top tips for helping to stop the build-up of moisture in your home and keep it damp and mould-free:

Use your home’s ventilation system, such as extractor fans in your bathroom and kitchen, when showering or cooking. If these are not in good working order, let us know.
Make sure air bricks or vents are not blocked. They help fresh air circulate in your property and remove higher levels of moisture, which can cause damp and mould. If you think that your airbrick or vent is allowing cold air to access the property constantly, please contact us to make an appointment for an inspector to attend.
If you can, try to keep internal doors shut when cooking, showering or running taps. This can help keep rooms warm and can also help reduce energy bills.
Use lids on pans when cooking.
Wipe down any condensation on your window using a tissue and dispose of it down your toilet.
Dry clothes outside where possible, or use a clothes horse in a well-ventilated room.
Air rooms regularly, especially in the morning, to let out moisture.
Try to keep your home warm between 19 to 21 degrees Celsius to help reduce the risk of damp and mould. With the rising energy bill cost, we understand that you might be worried about using your heating.
Check your radiators and ensure they are consistently warm from top to bottom. If they feel cold at the top, your radiator may require bleeding.