Do you know what to do if you have damp or mould in your home?

We are launching a new campaign to let residents who rent their homes know how they can get support if they have damp or mould.

We are partnering with Care Network, Cosy Homes in Lancashire, Environmental Health and the NHS, to make sure everyone can take steps to reduce and prevent damp issues in their houses

Living in a home with damp and mould poses a health risk, contributing to childhood asthma, reduced lung function and respiratory diseases.

Lots of people are affected by damp and mould. It is caused by too much moisture in the air (condensation), poor heating and a lack of ventilation. But don’t worry if you have damp and mould in your home – there are things you can do to reduce this and prevent more problems.

Black mould is the most common type in houses, and is a fungus that grows in damp areas. It is usually caused by condensation (water droplets on a cold surface) that does not dry.

It can be harmful to your lungs and airways. Damp can also be caused by home and plumbing defects e.g. leaky pipes, leaky roofs and rising damp.

What can I do to reduce condensation?

To prevent and reduce damp you need to reduce the moisture in the air and make sure air can move around the house. Here are top five tips that can help you:

• Keep rooms heating between 18 – 21 degrees
• Open windows to release moisture if you can
• Cover pans while cooking
• Run cold water first when having baths
• Dry clothes outside or in a well-ventilated room

If you rent your home, your landlord is responsible for providing a safe and healthy property for you to live in. This includes keeping it free from damp and mould caused by defects or poor ventilation.

However, if this is an issue, the council’s Housing Standards team can help you understand your rights and where you can get help. Visit our website for more information.

Housing standards | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

If you feel like you need extra help, please contact Care Network’s Healthy Homes service for further support and advice.

Call: (01254) 507255 or visit: Healthy Homes | Care Network (Blackburn with Darwen) Ltd

There is a handy guide to damp and mould on our Public Health website along with video and leaflet on damp and mould from Care Network that lets you know what to do: https://bewellbwd.com/damp-and-mould/

Councillor Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Public Health and Housing, said:

It is unfortunately really easy for damp and mould to develop in homes. This is especially true in the colder winter months when we generally close our windows, cook more hot food on the hob and need to dry our clothes inside.

It can cause health issues if left unchecked and untreated, so it’s important to take action as quickly as you can. Luckily there are steps we can take to minimise the risk of damp and mould, and also action we can take if it has become a household issue. If you have damp and mould in your home there are organisations out there for help and advice, so please look at the websites and phone numbers mentioned if you’ve got an issue.”