Damp and Mould

At bdht, we’re committed to ensuring your home is safe, healthy and comfortable. Damp and mould can affect both the condition of the property and your wellbeing — so if you’re concerned about either, we’re here to help. 

If you’re concerned about damp or mould in your home, or if you’re unsure what’s causing the problem, please get in touch.
Freephone: 0800 0850 160

You can also log in to your mybdht account to report an issue or read our damp and mould guide.

Awaab’s Law

On Monday 27 October 2025 a new law came into effect. It sets clear deadlines for social landlords like bdht to quickly investigate and properly fix significant or emergency hazards, such as damp and mould.

Awaab’s Law was named in memory of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who sadly died in 2020 after long exposure to poorly treated mould in his home. The law was created to protect social housing residents and to make sure something like this never happens again.

We want to act quickly and keep you and those you love safe. Below is some information we hope you find useful about hazards and reporting, and how you can protect your home.

What is condensation and damp?

Condensation is created when warm air meets a cold surface and water droplets form — this can then encourage mould growth.

Damp is caused by water penetration or a leak and will typically need a repair to resolve.

If you suspect it’s damp, check:

• Behind furniture or within the room (particularly if it’s an exterior wall).

• If the leak might be a source (bathroom, kitchen, radiator).

• If an outside wall, whether pointing between bricks is missing, gutters are blocked, or a patio was recently installed above the damp course.

How to reduce condensation

There are three practical steps you can take:

Treating condensation and mould

• Dry your windows and windowsills every morning, as well as any surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom that have become wet. Wring out the cloth after use.
• To kill and remove mould, wipe down or spray the walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash that carries a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ‘approval number’ and ensure that you follow the instructions for its safe use. These are available at all DIY or local supermarkets and are often called mould and mildew removers.
• Wash clothing that has mildew or mould forming.
• After treatment, redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint and a fungicidal resistant wallpaper paste to help prevent mould from reoccurring.