Local Councils Launch Damp and Mould Awareness Campaign

Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council have jointly introduced the Healthy Homes campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the risks posed by damp and mould in rental properties. The campaign is being promoted through social media channels and GP surgeries across the region, with 26 local letting agents already signed up to support the initiative.

Encouraging Early Reporting and Prevention

The councils urge tenants to report any signs of damp and mould to their letting agents promptly. This approach allows landlords to investigate and address issues before they escalate, while also guiding them towards relevant council and government advice. Tenants are advised to maintain good ventilation, use extractor fans when cooking or showering, and wipe down condensation quickly using soap and water. Additionally, drying clothes outside or using a condensing dryer or tumble dryer vented externally is recommended to reduce moisture build-up.

Health Implications and the Importance of Safe Homes

Funded by the government, the Healthy Homes campaign highlights the serious health problems that can arise from untreated damp and mould. Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for economic renewal, housing and organisational development, emphasised the need for landlords and letting agents to engage with the campaign. He stated:
“People across our part of the world deserve to live in homes free of damp and mould. Whilst there are steps that tenants can take themselves to try to prevent issues occurring in the first place, there are sometimes going to be damp and mould issues that will need to be sorted by their landlords. We do have a good number of local letting agents who have signed up to the campaign, but we are looking for more to come forward, to ensure that all private tenants can be reassured that mould and damp problems will be dealt with properly.”

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet member for public protection, Councillor Lyn Healing, also stressed the urgency of addressing these issues:
“Damp and mould can cause serious health problems if left untreated, and we urge landlords and tenants to report and fix issues as soon as possible. We are dedicated to working with letting agents, landlords, and tenants to ensure the provision of healthy and safe homes across our region and I strongly encourage more to sign up to the initiative.”

Context: Upcoming Changes Under Awaab’s Law

This campaign comes as Awaab’s Law is set to be extended to the private rented sector, introducing strict timeframes for landlords to resolve damp and mould problems. Although the government has not yet confirmed an exact implementation date, the law is expected to come into force during phase three of the Act in 2027. This legislative change will place greater responsibility on landlords to maintain safe and healthy living conditions, making early engagement with campaigns like Healthy Homes increasingly important.

What This Means for Landlords

Landlords should be proactive in signing up to local initiatives such as the Healthy Homes campaign to demonstrate their commitment to tenant welfare and compliance with forthcoming regulations. Promptly addressing damp and mould issues not only protects tenant health but also helps landlords avoid potential legal consequences under Awaab’s Law. Maintaining clear communication channels with tenants and letting agents about reporting and resolving property concerns is essential for effective property management.

Suggested internal link anchors

• damp and mould issues
• tenant reporting responsibilities
• landlord obligations
• private rented sector regulations
• Awaab’s Law
• property maintenance
• letting agents’ role
• healthy homes initiatives
• condensation prevention
• tenant health and safety

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/