Struggling with Damp and Mould? Get Free Advice and Support Through LEAP

Damp and mould can make your home uncomfortable and difficult to keep warm, and sometimes it can be hard to know where to start when trying to tackle it.

The latest English Housing Survey found that 7.7 million households in England, almost a third, reported experiencing condensation, damp or mould in their home. A separate USwitch survey found that, for 31% of people who had experienced mould, it’s still an ongoing problem. These are concerning statistics. For many people, persistent mould can have a significant impact, both financially and on their health. 22% of those affected reported health issues and 37% said mould prompted them to leave their home.

If you’re struggling with damp and mould, our Home Energy Advisors can help through LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership). They can help you understand what might be contributing to the problem, share practical steps that could help and identify further support that may be available.

Understanding Damp and Mould

Damp and mould isn’t just uncomfortable, it can affect your health too. Living in a damp or mouldy home can increase the risk of respiratory problems and make conditions such as asthma worse. This makes it really important to seek help if damp or mould is persistent or getting worse.

One of the ways our advisors explain damp and mould is through HIVE: Heating, Insulation, Ventilation and Excess Moisture.

All four can play a part in how much condensation and moisture builds up in your home:

Heating – Keeping rooms warm, even at a low level where possible, can help reduce the amount of moisture settling on cold surfaces.

Insulation – Poor insulation can make walls and other surfaces colder, increasing the chance of condensation forming. Our advisors can look at whether insulation could be contributing to the problem and discuss any funding or support that may be available.

Ventilation – Moist air needs somewhere to escape. Simple things such as keeping trickle vents open, using extractor fans, opening windows when appropriate and leaving a small gap between furniture and walls can help air circulate around your home.

Excess Moisture – Everyday activities such as cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors all add moisture to the air. Our advisors can suggest practical ways to reduce moisture build-up without making your home uncomfortable.

Remember, not all damp is caused by condensation. Damp can have different causes, including leaks, water entering through the property, rising damp and problems with the building itself. If damp keeps returning despite taking steps to reduce condensation, it could be a sign that something else needs investigating.

What If You Already Have Mould?

Improving ventilation can help prevent mould from returning, but it won’t remove mould that’s already there.

Our advisors can talk you through ways to safely manage existing mould and help you understand what you can do to reduce the chance of it coming back.

If damp remains after something like a leak has been repaired, we may also discuss whether a dehumidifier could help you dry out affected walls and surfaces. Through the LEAP Appliance Scheme, eligible households may be able to receive a free dehumidifier. Please note that we only offer dehumidifiers during the winter months, subject to availability.

What If the Problem Keeps Coming Back?

Sometimes damp and mould isn’t something you can solve by opening a window or changing how you heat your home.

Persistent or recurring problems could be linked to leaks, poor insulation, inadequate ventilation, windows or other problems with the property itself.

Where appropriate, our advisors can help you understand what to do next and signpost you to additional support. Depending on your circumstances and the funding available, we may also be able to discuss options for improving your home’s energy efficiency.

What If You Rent Your Home?

If you rent your home and are experiencing damp or mould, it’s important to report the problem to your landlord or housing provider, particularly if it’s severe, keeps returning or you think there’s an issue with the property.

If you live in social housing, you also have additional protection under Awaab’s Law. Social landlords must investigate significant damp and mould hazards within 10 working days and make the home safe within 5 working days following the investigation. Emergency hazards must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours. If your landlord can’t make your home safe within the required timeframe, they must offer you somewhere suitable to stay until it is safe.

Our LEAP advisors can still help by looking at your home’s energy use, talking through the HIVE approach and helping you understand practical steps you can take.

If you own your home, we can similarly provide advice and look at whether there may be funding or other support available to help you make improvements.

We’ve also looked at the wider impact of damp and mould on residents and landlords, including landlords’ responsibilities and the introduction of Awaab’s Law, in our Damp and Mould: The Impact on Residents and Landlords guide.

Don’t Just Put Up With Damp and Mould

If you’re struggling with damp, mould or condensation in your home, you don’t have to work out what to do on your own.

Keeping your home warm can be difficult when you’re already worried about rising energy bills. In 2024, the UK Government found that 3.2 million households reported being unable to keep warm during winter. This is where energy support like LEAP can be particularly important.

Through LEAP, our Home Energy Advisors can provide free, practical advice tailored to your home and circumstances. We can help you understand what may be contributing to the problem, what you can do now and where you may be able to get further help.

Residents can also receive our damp and mould information leaflet, which contains simple tips for preventing and managing damp and mould at home.

Get Free Home Energy Support Through LEAP

LEAP is completely free for eligible households, so get in touch to find out how we could help make your home warmer, healthier and more comfortable.

Through LEAP, Green Energy Switch provides free home energy visits for eligible residents in Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire and Rutland. Our Home Energy Advisors can visit you at home, look at your individual circumstances and provide practical advice and support.

Live outside these areas? LEAP may still be available where you live. You can check whether the service operates in your area and apply directly through the LEAP website.