Damp and mould have become entrenched problems in UK homes, with new government data showing thousands of households struggling to live in decent conditions. A staggering 10% of private rented properties are affected by damp, compared to just 7% in social housing, highlighting a stark disparity in the quality of living for millions of residents.
The figures, contained within the government’s local authority housing stock condition modelling report 2024, reveal that privately rented sector dwellings are disproportionately hit by damp and mould. Regionally, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, and parts of the South East and North West were found to be hotspots for damp in private rented homes.
According to the report, serious condensation – a major driver of internal damp issues – affects 3% of dwellings nationwide. Conversely, externally driven damp, such as penetrating or rising damp, is less prevalent at 2%. The data also suggests that areas with higher rainfall experience more instances of damp.
The report's findings come as local authorities in the South West and coastal regions face particularly high levels of non-decent housing, where the Decent Homes Standard has been breached. Category 1 hazards – posing serious health risks to tenants – are the leading reason for failure, affecting almost one in ten homes across all tenures.
The government's own targets for improving living conditions are under scrutiny, with private and social landlords mandated to meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2035. Landlords now face harsher penalties for neglecting their properties, including £7,000 fines for severe cases of damp and mould – a move aimed at strengthening enforcement and protecting tenants' rights.