Research suggests mould in homes is on the increase

Some important insights into the mould issues affecting homes across the UK and offers tips for dealing with it…

Freezing conditions have brought a troubling trend to light: over 60% of people in the UK have reported experiencing mould in their homes, up from 58% last year. This pervasive issue affects all types of housing and highlights the financial strain many face in maintaining adequate heating.

Ben Galizzi, Uswitch energy expert:

“Living in a mouldy home is both unpleasant and a health hazard. Yet many of us have had to deal with mould at some point. Whether you rent or own, mould can be a constant problem if the root cause isn’t fixed. With poor insulation and rising energy costs, it’s harder than ever to keep it under control.

“Both landlords and tenants need to do their part in tackling mould. Tenants might need to adjust some habits at home, while landlords take care of bigger repairs to the property. Keeping your home warm, especially in the winter, can really help prevent mould. If you’re on a standard variable tariff and struggling with your energy costs, though, it might be worth checking out fixed energy deals to see if you could switch to a cheaper tariff than the one you’re on.”

In response, Uswitch has produced the latest Mouldy Nation Report, exploring the prevalence of mould across local authorities, our attitudes towards it, and the habits that may contribute to its growth. The report also offers practical tips to help combat mould and save on energy costs.

Key findings from the study:

• Prevalence of mould: Over 60% of respondents have experienced mould in their homes, with 31% encountering it more than once.

• Accommodation types: Mould issues span across various housing types, including owned homes (43%), privately rented accommodations (28%), local authority housing (16%), housing association properties (12%), and student accommodation (7%).
• Complaint dynamics: About 55% of respondents raised complaints about mould, primarily to landlords (22%) and local authorities or housing associations (around 15% each).
• Responsibility for mould: A significant majority (69%) believe landlords are responsible for mould in rented properties, while 33% have been blamed for mould by landlords or management.

• Impact of heating costs: Over 68% have reduced heating due to costs, with 56% believing this contributed to worsening mould problems. Additionally, 60% struggled with paying for adequate heating during mould occurrences.

Local authorities with the most complaints per 10,000 housing units

London dominates the list with eight out of 10 areas with the most mould complaints, with Haringey topping the chart at 30.71 complaints per 10,000 housing units.

Close behind are Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, and Lewisham, all highlighting a growing issue of mould in urban housing. Interestingly, Adur and Lewes also feature, showing this isn’t just a city problem but one affecting various communities.

Simple actions people admit to that may contribute to mould growth

Methodology: An FOI was sent to the Housing Ombudsman asking for a breakdown of complaints about mould/damp and leaks/flood in English local authorities by year for local authority and housing association-run properties. Data returned covered Financial Years 2018/19 to 2023/24 for mould/damp. To compare this to the number of properties, 2024 data from the Regulator of Social Housing was taken on the number of LARP (local authority-run) and PRP (privately-run, including housing association) properties to provide an estimate of the number of complaints per property.

Data on % of properties with damp/mould was taken from the English Housing Survey. 2000 adults in the UK were also surveyed on their experiences and opinions on mould between 20/11/2024 and 22/11/2024.