Mould is an unpleasant yet widespread problem in the UK, with an estimated 50% of all households being affected by it. Not only does it look and smell foul, but it can potentially be hazardous to your health.
If you’ve noticed mould in your rented house or apartment, you’re right to be concerned. It’s likely that you’ve tried to fix the problem yourself with over-the-counter mould cleaner before talking to your landlord, as making a complaint can be daunting.
We wouldn’t recommend delaying reporting it to your landlord, however, as the longer you leave it, the more mould can spread, leading to illness.
In this guide, we’ll explain what mould is, the hazards and how to approach talking to your landlord.
Understanding what mould is
In the most basic terms, mould is a fungus that forms both in the air and on surfaces where there’s moisture and oxygen, so in short, mould can grow anywhere.
Not all mould is the same; in fact, there’s a variety of types that all have different appearances and have varying degrees of how harmful they are and how likely they are to spread.
The four main types of mould are:
Cladosporium
This is the most common type of mould that can form indoors or outdoors. It most frequently forms as either green, brown or black spots and can be found on wood, upholstery and painted walls.
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is usually only found indoors and is either dark yellow with a green hue or white, and frequently grows on food, building materials and on damp clothing, and can be harmful, especially if you are already vulnerable.
Penicillium
This has a blue/green colour and a fuzzy, almost 3 dimensional appearance. Penicillium can spread incredibly quickly and can cause respiratory problems.
Stachybotrys Chartarum (Black Mould)
Black mould is the most dangerous of any mould and is either dark green or black, and appears slimy. It most frequently grows on drywall, wood and insulation, so attics, basements and outside facing walls are most at risk. It produces dangerous mycotoxins, which can lead to severe illness and death.
Can’t see mould? It may still be there
Even if you can’t see mould growing, it may still be there. It typically can grow in damp, dark places, but you’ll know it’s there if you can consistently smell a damp, earthy and pungent aroma.
Common places you’ll find hidden mould include:
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Behind wallpaper
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Inside insulated wall cavities
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Behind washing machines & fridges
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In attics and basements
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Under carpets
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Inside cupboards
What to do if you notice mould in your rented home
If you notice the smell of mould, or see what looks like mould, it’s best to collect evidence before going to your landlord.
Take photos
Photos are your most powerful tool when presenting evidence of mould to your landlord. It is likely they’ll ask for this before inspecting the property so it’s best to pre-empt this.
Document locations
Note down the specific rooms and areas where mould is appearing, including if you’ve moved furniture to investigate a bad smell.
Note down dates
Make a note of dates that you first started noticing mould-like odours, and when you investigated them and found mould. If you’ve felt ill, it could be as a result of mould, so it’s important to note down dates of illness.
Records of communication
If you’ve previously been in touch with your landlord about maintenance issues and whether they’ve been fixed.
How to communicate mould issues with your landlord
It can be daunting to approach your landlord about mould issues in your home, especially if they don’t have a great track record of fixing other maintenance issues. It is incredibly important, however, because of your health.
Here are the steps we recommend you take to talk to your landlord about mould in your rented home:
1. Formal but polite first contact
It’s important not to go in all guns blazing, as confrontation doesn’t get issues fixed any faster. Instead, we’d recommend sending a polite email or letter to your landlord explaining the issues and where the mould is, ensuring you attach photo evidence.
2. Request an inspection
If your landlord responds and offers to pop round to take a look, that’s great, but if not, you may need to get in touch again and formally request an inspection within the next 14 days. At this point, you need to ensure you mention that simply cleaning the mould is insufficient.
But what if your landlord still doesn’t respond?
We’d recommend still taking a polite and formal approach in the first instance, and not jumping the gun. Send a follow up letter, and if there’s still no response, we’d recommend contacting your local council and seeking legal advice.
Can I test for mould myself?
If you want further evidence that there’s mould in your home, you can test for mould yourself. At Untold Mould, we have a handy mould testing starter kit, which allows you to test up to 3 rooms. Our AI-powered report will provide you with all of the evidence you need to back up your claims.
