Damp and mould can affect any home. Reported early, almost every case is straightforward to resolve. Here's what causes it, what to do when you spot it, and how we work together to keep your home dry and healthy.
This page explains how MDM Homes responds to reports of damp and mould, and the practical steps that — between us — keep your home in good condition. We take damp and mould seriously. Untreated, it can damage the property and, more importantly, affect your health.
Under the new Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) Regulations 2025 — known as Awaab's Law — significant damp and mould hazards in social housing must now be investigated within fixed timeframes. While these specific timeframes apply to social landlords, MDM Homes voluntarily applies them to every property in our portfolio because we believe every tenant deserves the same standard of response.
The single most important thing you can do is report damp or mould as soon as you notice it. We can almost always solve a small problem quickly — but small problems left alone become big problems. Log it on Tenant Cloud, or email contact@mdmhomes.co.uk if it's serious.
There are three common types of damp in homes. Identifying which type you're dealing with is the first step to fixing it.
Caused by warm, moist air inside the home meeting cold surfaces (windows, external walls, behind furniture). Common in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Shows as water on windows, black mould on cold corners, and a musty smell. Almost always managed by a combination of heating and ventilation.
Water entering the property from outside — a roof leak, blocked guttering, cracked pointing, faulty window seal, or damaged render. Typically shows as a localised damp patch on a ceiling or external wall, often worse after rain. Always our responsibility to investigate and fix.
Ground moisture rising up through the walls because of a failed or missing damp-proof course. Shows as a tide-mark up to about a metre on ground-floor walls. Rare in modern properties. Always our responsibility — never a tenant lifestyle issue.
Most damp and mould issues are resolved quickly when tenant and landlord work together. Here's the simple split.
Simple, practical steps that prevent and treat most condensation-related mould.
Our response from the moment you report it until the issue is closed.
Six small habits that, used together, prevent most condensation-related damp.
Heat low and long, not high and short. A constant gentle warmth keeps walls above the dew point and stops moisture forming.
Open windows for five to ten minutes each morning to let damp air out. Use trickle vents permanently. Run fans during and after cooking and showering.
Lids on cooking pots cut moisture in the air dramatically. A simple change that makes the kitchen significantly drier.
Outside is best. Indoors, in a well-ventilated room with the window cracked and the door shut. Never on radiators in a closed bedroom.
Condensation on cold mornings is normal. Wipe it off with a cloth — and check trickle vents are open.
A 5cm gap between wardrobes/sofas and external walls lets air circulate, preventing the cold-spot mould you often see behind big pieces.
Persistent damp and mould can trigger or worsen asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections. The risks are higher for babies, young children, older people, pregnant women, and anyone with weakened immunity or existing respiratory conditions.
If anyone in your household falls into these groups, mention it when you report the issue. We will treat the case as a priority and act faster.
More information from official sources: