England's private renters trapped in damp, mouldy homes with little protection
Private renters in England face growing risks from damp and mould, new figures reveal. In 2021-22, councils identified 1,106 privately rented homes with dangerous levels of the problem. Yet only a small fraction of tenants received protection when their homes were deemed unsafe.
The data also shows a sharp divide in housing conditions. Damp affected 11% of private rentals, far higher than in social housing (4%) or owner-occupied homes (2%).
Local authorities received 60,849 complaints about housing standards in 2021-22. Of these, 8,048 (13%) involved damp and mould. Government figures later confirmed that 9,400 private homes for sale were classified as unsafe due to these issues in 2023.
Among the worst-affected areas were Wolverhampton, Salford, and Swindon. Bath, Greenwich, and Brent also recorded high rates of damp and mould as the most common hazard. In total, councils found 7,695 Category 1 hazards—serious risks to health—with 1,106 linked to damp and mould alone.
Despite the dangers, tenants had little protection. Councils used legal measures to prevent retaliatory evictions in just 24% of cases where homes were unsafe. This left many renters vulnerable to losing their housing if they reported problems.
Campaign group Generation Rent has called for stronger action. They urged the government to extend 'Awaab's Law'—which sets strict timelines for realtors to fix damp and mould—to private rentals. The group also demanded an end to Section 21 'no fault' evictions, arguing that tenants need security to report hazards without fear of losing their homes.
The figures highlight a persistent issue in England's private rental sector. Damp and mould remain widespread, yet most tenants lack safeguards when their homes are unsafe. Campaigners continue to push for legal reforms to improve living conditions and protect renters from eviction.
