Black spots on the window frame, a musty smell, or clothes that never quite dry – damp and mould are among the most common problems in rented rooms, especially in older Leicester terraces during winter. Some causes are the landlord’s responsibility, some can be reduced with everyday habits, and some are a bit of both. Here’s how to work out which, and what to do about it.
Mould can affect your health, especially if you have asthma or a weakened immune system. If it’s making you unwell, speak to your GP and tell your landlord in writing.
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Is it condensation or damp?
| Type | Signs | Usually caused by |
|---|---|---|
| Condensation | Water on windows in the morning, mould in corners, behind furniture and on window seals, often worse in winter | Moist air from breathing, showers, cooking and drying clothes indoors, meeting cold surfaces |
| Rising damp | Tide-mark staining low on walls (up to about a metre), crumbling plaster, salty deposits | A building defect, such as a failed damp-proof course |
| Penetrating damp | Damp patches that grow after rain, often on outside walls or ceilings | Leaks, faulty gutters, damaged roofs or pointing |
Rising and penetrating damp are almost always repairs for the landlord. Condensation is often a mix of the building (poor ventilation, insulation or heating) and how the room is used.
What your landlord must do
- Landlords must keep the structure and exterior in repair, plus installations for heating, water and sanitation.
- Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, a rented home must be fit to live in. Serious damp and mould can make it unfit, and tenants can take action through the courts.
- Councils can inspect and require landlords to fix serious hazards, including damp and mould.
- Awaab’s Law, which sets strict deadlines for fixing damp and mould, currently applies to social housing. The Renters’ Rights Act allows it to be extended to private renting, but no start date had been confirmed at the time of writing.
How to report it (step by step)
- Take photos with the date visible, and keep taking them every week or two.
- Tell your landlord in writing (email or text). Describe where it is, how long it’s been there, and any impact on you.
- Allow a reasonable time for them to investigate and fix it, and let them in with notice.
- If nothing happens, contact Leicester City Council’s private sector housing team. They can inspect.
- Get free advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice.
If you’re a tenant (not a lodger), “no-fault” Section 21 evictions ended on 1 May 2026. A landlord now needs a legal ground to end your tenancy, so asking for repairs shouldn’t put your home at risk.
Everyday habits that cut condensation
- Open the window a little (or use trickle vents) for a while after showering or cooking, and keep extractor fans on.
- Keep the room at a steady, low heat rather than blasting it on and off. Cold walls attract condensation.
- Leave a gap between furniture and outside walls so air can move.
- Wipe windows dry every morning in winter.
- Avoid drying clothes on radiators. If you have to dry indoors, open a window or use a dehumidifier in the same room.
- Put lids on pans when cooking.
Kit that genuinely helps
1. A hygrometer (start here, around a fiver)
A small digital hygrometer shows your room’s humidity. As a rough guide, keeping it around 40-60% makes mould much less likely. It also gives you evidence: a reading that stays high even with good ventilation points to a building problem.
2. A dehumidifier (the most effective fix for condensation)
- Compressor dehumidifiers work best in warmer rooms, roughly 15°C and above, and are usually cheaper to run.
- Desiccant dehumidifiers work better in cold rooms and unheated spaces, are quieter and lighter, but use more power.
- Models with a laundry mode are great if you have to dry clothes in your room.
Before buying, check the running cost. A dehumidifier’s power (in watts) divided by 1,000 is how many kWh it uses per hour. Multiply that by your electricity unit rate to get the cost per hour.
3. Cheap helpers
- Moisture traps – fine for wardrobes and cupboards, but too small to fix a whole room.
- Window vac – removes morning condensation in seconds.
- Heated clothes airer with cover – dries washing without soaking the room (still open a window).
- Mould remover spray – for small surface spots on tiles and sealant. Ventilate well, wear gloves, and never mix it with other cleaners.
Important: cleaning off mould isn’t a fix if the cause is a leak or a building defect. Report it anyway, and keep your photos. Scrubbing the evidence away before your landlord has seen it can make your case harder.
Damp and your deposit
Landlords sometimes try to deduct for mould at the end of a tenancy. Your written reports and dated photos are your best protection. Read more in our deposit guide.
Looking for somewhere new? Ask about damp at every viewing. Our renting a room checklist covers what to look for.