A year after Awaab’s Law was introduced in the social housing sector, new research suggests damp and mould remain a significant problem across the UK, particularly in privately rented properties.
A YouGov survey commissioned by Safeguard Europe found that 33% of UK adults currently have damp or mould in their homes, while 44% have experienced the problem within the past 12 months. Among private renters, the figures are considerably higher, with 54% currently affected and 44% reporting issues over the past year.
The research involved 2,130 UK adults and was conducted in mid-October, as the government continues to consider extending Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector.
Tenants concerned about disputes with landlords
The findings show that one in ten private renters (10%) are dealing with widespread damp and mould. Meanwhile, 14% said their biggest concern would be getting into a disagreement with their landlord over the necessary repairs.
The survey also found that 58% of respondents struggle to heat their homes during colder months because of the cost.
The reported figures are considerably higher than the 5% of damp problems identified by surveyors in the English Housing Survey. However, they are closer to the 30% of households who reported experiencing damp themselves in the same survey.
Hudson Lambert, managing director of Safeguard Europe and a board member of the Property Care Association, said there was still considerable uncertainty surrounding the causes of damp and mould and how best to tackle them.
He added that private landlords would also need to prepare for the potential extension of Awaab’s Law to their sector.
How damp and mould affect different households
The research also highlighted differences between housing types.
Over the past year, 53% of council tenants reported experiencing damp or mould, compared with 41% of housing association tenants and 42% of homeowners.
Widespread problems were reported by 13% of council tenants, while the figure was just 4% among homeowners who own their properties outright.
The findings underline the scale of the problem across the housing sector, with private renters particularly affected by current damp and mould issues. As the government considers extending Awaab’s Law, landlords may face greater expectations around identifying and addressing these problems in rental properties.
Download NOW
4 Simple Steps To Becoming Wealthy Through Property