Keep your home free from damp, mould and condensation
Condensation, damp and mould can damage your home and affect your health. Winchester City Council takes this seriously.
We are committed to making sure all our residents live in safe, warm and healthy homes.
If you see any signs of damp, mould or condensation, report it straight away we will inspect the issue and take action quickly.
Contact Us:
Telephone: 01962 848 400 – choose option 1 for repairs
Email: hhub@winchester.gov.uk
Online: Log an issue using My Winchester Tenancy
On this page
— What causes damp and mould
— Top tips to deal with moisture in your home
— How to clean small areas of mould
— When and how to report a problem
— What we'll do
— Get help with heating or bills
— Working together
— If in doubt, report it
What causes damp and mould
Condensation happens when warm, moist air meets a cold surface and turns into water droplets.
You’ll often see it on windows, walls or tiles, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.
Common causes include:
- Cooking, showering or bathing
- Drying clothes indoors
- Poor ventilation or broken extractor fans
- Cold rooms or blocked air vents
- Furniture pushed tightly against cold walls
If condensation isn’t managed, it can lead to damp patches and mould growth, which can be harmful to your health especially for babies, older people, or those with breathing problems.
Top tips to deal with moisture in your home
Simple daily actions can make a big difference.
Let air flow
- Open windows or trickle vents for 10–15 minutes each morning.
- Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms when cooking, bathing or showering.
- Keep doors closed while cooking or washing to stop steam spreading.
- Don’t block vents or air bricks.
Reduce moisture
- Wipe condensation from windows and sills each morning.
- Put lids on saucepans while cooking.
- Dry clothes outside if possible, or in a well-ventilated room such as the bathroom.
- Avoid drying clothes on radiators for long periods.
Keep rooms warm
- Maintain your home at an ambient temperature of at least 18°C, using your heating when required.
- Avoid turning the heating off completely for long periods.
- Leave gaps behind furniture and wardrobes so air can circulate.
How to clean small areas of mould
If you notice a small amount of mould, clean it straight away and let us know. You can:
- Use a fungicidal mould spray (available in most supermarkets or hardware shops).
- Follow the instructions carefully.
- Dry the area thoroughly afterwards.
Avoid bleach or vinegar sprays — these only remove surface marks and don’t kill mould spores.
If the mould keeps coming back, spreads, or has a musty smell, report it immediately. We’ll visit your home, find the cause and carry out any repairs or improvements needed.
When and how to report a problem
You should report any damp, mould or condensation issues as soon as possible.
This helps us act quickly to protect your home and health.
Contact Us:
Telephone: 01962 848 400 – choose option 1 for repairs
Email: hhub@winchester.gov.uk
Online: Log an issue using My Winchester Tenancy
What we'll do
We’ll follow a clear process under Awaab’s Law to make sure issues are dealt with safely and promptly.
- Step 1 – Triage
- Step 2 – Inspection
- Step 3 – Repairs and support
- Step 4 – Follow-up
Our principles
Our approach is guided by the following:
- Take all reports seriously and respond with empathy and respect.
- Never blame residents or assume 'lifestyle' is the cause.
- Act quickly to identify and fix the source of the problem.
- Keep residents informed at every stage.
- Work proactively to prevent damp and mould in all homes.
Get help with heating or bills
If you’re struggling to heat your home, we can help.
Contact us or visit our website for information about:
- Energy efficiency grants
- Cost of Living support
- Local wellbeing and advice services
Working together
We’ll continue to:
- Publish performance data on how we respond to damp and mould.
- Provide training to all housing staff and contractors.
- Regularly update our guidance and policy in line with Awaab’s Law.
- Review all reported cases to make sure problems don’t come back.
If in doubt, report it
We’d rather hear from you early than let a small problem become a big one.
Telephone: 01962 848 400 – choose option 1 for repairs
Email: hhub@winchester.gov.uk
Online:Log an issue using My Winchester Tenancy