Leaseholders, shared owners and resident homeowners
If you are a leaseholder or shared owner, responsibility for damp and mould depends on the cause of the problem and the terms of your lease.
Some issues are internal to your home, while others may be caused by structural or communal defects. Identifying the cause early is important.
Responsibilities
You are usually responsible for:
- internal walls, ceilings, decoration and fixtures
- internal plumbing within your home
- managing condensation through everyday use of heating and ventilation
The council (as freeholder) is usually responsible for:
- the building structure, including roofs and external walls
- communal areas and shared systems
- repairs that affect more than one property
Your lease will confirm the exact division of responsibility.
What to do
- record when the issue started and where it occurs
- take photographs and monitor whether it spreads or worsens
- report the issue to the council if the cause is unclear, structural or recurring
- arrange internal repairs where these fall under your responsibility
Some cases involve shared responsibility. In these situations, the council and leaseholder will work together to resolve the issue.
Health and access
Damp and mould can pose health risks, particularly for children, older people and those with respiratory conditions.
If health is affected, seek medical advice.
To resolve issues quickly, please allow access for inspections and repairs and respond to communication promptly.
PRS (tenants and landlords)
If you are a tenant
- report damp and mould to your landlord or managing agent as soon as possible
- keep records, including photos, dates and communication
- if your landlord does not act, contact the council’s private housing team
The council can inspect properties and take enforcement action where necessary.
If the landlord does not act, email propertyregulation@ealing.gov.uk or call 020 8825 6622
If you are a landlord
You are legally responsible to make sure your property is safe and has no hazards. You must:
- investigate reports of damp and mould promptly
- address underlying causes such as leaks or ventilation problems
- take steps to stop the issue happening again
This is needed under legislation including the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
The Renters’ Right Act 2026 sets clear legal rules for damp and mould. Landlords must investigate and fix issues within set timeframes, not just within a “reasonable time”. The Act also brings the Decent Homes Standard into the private rented sector and makes damp and mould a legal requirement to deal with, under Awaab’s Law