Damp or mould in more than half of PRS homes
Summary
New YouGov research for Safeguard Europe suggests damp and mould remain widespread in UK housing, with reported incidence particularly high in the private rented sector. The article notes that the government is consulting on extending Awaab’s Law to the private sector, alongside evidence of tenant concern about landlord disputes and heating costs.
Why it matters
Surveyors working in the private rented sector may see increased scrutiny of damp and mould complaints, both from tenants and from landlords preparing for possible future regulation. The findings also highlight a gap between surveyor-recorded defects and tenant-reported problems, which is relevant to inspection, diagnosis and reporting practices.
Key points
- 33% of UK adults report damp or mould in their current home; 54% of private renters say they currently have it
- One in ten private renters report widespread mould and damp, and 14% say landlord disputes are their biggest worry
- 58% of private renters say cost stops them heating their home in colder months
- The article says the government is consulting on extending Awaab’s Law to the private sector
- The survey results are contrasted with lower damp figures recorded by surveyors in the English Housing Survey
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
