East Suffolk Council
Damp, mould and condensation
Damp and Mould
There are a number of types of damp which may affect your home. These are:
- Rising damp
- Penetrating damp
- Condensation
- Damp following a flood or plumbing leaks
For more information on the different types of damp and how they are individually resolved please visit the Damp webpage. If you think you may have damp in your home which you are struggling to control, visit one of the below pages, depending on your situation, for more information:
- Housing repairs and maintenance – for East Suffolk Council tenants.
- Disrepair and unsafe properties – for privately rented properties.
- Renovation grants – for homeowners, first time buyers and landlords.
Mould is usually formed when condensation occurs. There are many reasons why condensation may transpire, and it is important to control levels of condensation to reduce the risk of mould in your home.
Condensation
Condensation occurs when air laden with water vapour is cooled by contact with a cold surface. It is most commonly seen on the surface of mirrors and toilet cisterns and around the edges of windows in cooler weather. If left this can develop into mould.
To keep your home free from significant condensation you will need to balance how you heat your property with the amount of ventilation that is provided. You will also need to minimise how much moisture is generated within the home.
More information and tips on how to prevent condensation are available, or you can view our helpful Condensation Leaflet which explains what condensation is, why you get it and offers tips on how you can prevent it.
The Moisture Balance Calculator is a simple tool which will help identify the level of moisture in your home by asking some lifestyle questions. The calculator will help determine whether your home is at risk of mould growth and will give you tips on how to prevent it. If you need help or advice on how to target a moisture imbalance, contact our Customer Services team who will direct you to the appropriate department.
Information for East Suffolk Council tenants
East Suffolk Council takes reports of Damp and Mould by our tenants very seriously. If you report an issue with Damp and Mould, we will send an inspector to assess the situation and use appropriate measures to deal with the issue. There are multiple ways you can report a Damp and Mould issue or request a repair :
- Contacting Customer Services
- myHome East Suffolk
- Online housing repair request form
- By post
- By email
- In person at our Customer Services centre
For more information on the types of repairs the council is responsible for and timeframes see:
Help for tenants in privately rented accommodation
East Suffolk Council has a dedicated Private Sector Housing team who will provide support and advice to all tenants living in privately rented properties.
The Council has powers under the Housing Act 2004 to deal with disrepair issues, including damp and mould issues, in privately rented properties where landlords have failed to act. More information on disrepair and unsafe properties.
Renovation Grants are also available in some cases for East Suffolk residents for significant disrepair issues that meet set criteria, including damp and mould, subject to conditions, for:
- Homeowners
- First time buyers
- Landlords
If you would like support, advice, or more information about the help available, you can contact our Private Sector Housing team.