DampCheck · Free · No sign-up · UK
Since October 2025, landlords face strict legal deadlines to deal with damp and mould. Most tenants don't know this yet. Three free tools, written by someone who did damp proofing for a living.
Step 1 of 3
Not all damp is the same, and landlords often wrongly blame tenants' "lifestyle". Answer two quick questions and get a straight answer about what it probably is and whose job it is to fix.
Step 2 of 3
Your rights depend on who your landlord is. Pick your situation to see the clock.
You report it. Do it in writing (our letter tool below does this properly). The clock starts the moment they're made aware.
Emergencies fixed. If the hazard poses an imminent risk to health, they must investigate and make it safe within 24 hours.
Investigation done. They must investigate a significant damp and mould hazard within 10 working days of your report.
Written summary. Within 3 working days of the investigation concluding, you get a written summary of findings and what they'll do.
Work starts. Safety works must begin within 5 working days of the investigation.
Can't make it safe? They must offer you suitable alternative accommodation at their expense until it is.
This is Awaab's Law, in force for social landlords in England since 27 October 2025. It expands to cover excess cold, electrical and fire hazards, structural defects and more from late November 2026.
Report it in writing. Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must repair the structure and exterior — and the clock on "reasonable time" starts when they know.
Your home must be fit to live in. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 lets you take a landlord to court directly if damp and mould make the property unfit.
A fair benchmark. There's no fixed statutory clock for private landlords yet, but asking for an inspection within 14 days is reasonable — and puts a date on record.
No response? Contact your council's Environmental Health team. They can inspect under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and force the landlord to act.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is extending Awaab's Law-style deadlines and a Decent Homes Standard to private renting — protections are tightening in tenants' favour. Important: it is now much harder for a landlord to evict you simply for complaining.
Report it in writing. All private rented homes must meet the Repairing Standard under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006; social landlords have duties under the Right to Repair scheme.
Deadlines are coming. From October 2026, Awaab's Law-style regulations apply in Scotland to both social and private landlords, with fixed timescales to investigate and start repairs.
No response? Private tenants can apply free to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber). Social tenants can complain to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
Step 3 of 3
A vague text message is easy to ignore. A dated, written report citing the right law is not. Fill this in — nothing is sent anywhere, it all stays on your phone.
Send it by email so you have a dated record, and keep photos of the damp with dates. If you post it, take a photo of the letter first.
If they ignore you
Social tenants (England): complain through your landlord's formal complaints process, then go to the Housing Ombudsman — it's free.
Private tenants (England): contact your council's Environmental Health team, who can inspect and order repairs. Shelter (0808 800 4444) and Citizens Advice give free help.
Scotland: apply free to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) for private lets, or the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman for social housing. Shelter Scotland can help.
Need a professional survey?
Sometimes the strongest evidence you can put in front of a landlord is an independent survey by a qualified specialist. If you're in Anglesey or North Wales, this is who we recommend:
Damp and timber surveys with plain-English reports, plus remedial work — covering Anglesey and North Wales. Property Care Association qualified, so their reports carry proper weight.
www.islanddampsolutions.co.uk · 07446 522034
Recommended by DampCheck. Outside North Wales? Look for a surveyor or contractor who is Property Care Association (PCA) qualified — it's the industry standard worth insisting on.