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HeadlineLondon Assembly report reveals widespread problems of damp in rented London homes

Short HeadlineDamp in rented London homes affects 'too many', report suggests

StandfirstA report by the London Assembly suggests that nearly one in ten rented homes in London is currently 'cold and damp'. 

A London Assembly report says ‘too many homes’ are affected by damp but the National Landlords’ Association believes the proposals don’t go far enough.

The analysis, put together by the Environment Committee, sets out the primary causes of the widespread issue of mould in London homes.

It also puts forward a set of potential solutions for the Mayor of London to enact. With damp affecting local authority-run homes the worst, these suggestions are particularly important.

The report argues that many homes in London are not sufficiently well-equipped to stay warm and dry. One of its suggestions to tackle this is to retrofit proper ventilation systems and insulation.

Much of the funding for this, the Committee proposes, should come from increasing the cap for landlord contributions to energy efficiency measures from £3500 to £5000.

Explained: what causes damp?

The most common cause of damp is condensation. When moist air meets cool surfaces such as walls and windows, it produces ideal conditions for mould to develop.

This kind of damp also arises in parts of the home where air is still and unventilated.

Chair of the Environment Committee Caroline Russell said that “too often people feel they are in a losing battle to keep their homes warm and free of condensation and mould, spending a fortune without feeling any lasting benefits.

“Our report sets out a series of measures that would bring more Londoners’ homes up to scratch.”

‘A guide for private landlords’

Private rental properties, too, are widely affected by damp. The report sets out that 39% of private renters in London have experienced damp or mould in their homes at some point.

The report suggests that the Mayor of London should publish a guide for private landlords to ‘help them be more informed about what type of advice they should seek and avenues they could explore.’

But Richard Blanco of the National Landlords’ Association doesn’t think this will make much of a difference.

“I’m not very keen on guides because I don’t think people read them. I would much rather the Mayor of London encourage landlords to join landlord associations and trade bodies.

“That way, the landlord can attend meetings, they can call the advice line. They’ll have a more interactive, nuanced, more complex relationship that’s tailored to their needs.

“That’s a million times better than some guide that no one’s ever going to read.”

The overcrowding problem

One of the major issues in both public and private rented accommodation is condensation. And when there are too many people occupying a home, this worsens the problem. The analysis suggests that around thirteen percent of London’s socially rented households are overcrowded.

Mr Blanco argues that this often happens without landlords being aware.

“Because of problems with affordability in London, tenants will move other people in without permission.

“Once you’ve got more bodies in the property, that generates considerably more moisture and then you’re more likely to have problems with condensation.”

As London becomes more and more populated, then, the problem of damp and mould is likely to only get worse. City Hall’s Environment Committee hopes its proposed solutions will help residents across the city breathe a little easier.