Damp and mould: understanding and addressing the health risks for rented housing providers
This guidance delivers on the government’s commitment in response to the Coroner’s 'prevention of future deaths' report on the death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak due to mould in the home.
- From:
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department of Health and Social Care and UK Health Security Agency
- Published
- 7 September 2023
- Last updated
-
151AugustApril20242026 — See all updates
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The consolidated guidance sets out the:
- health risks of damp and mould
- actions that can be taken by social and private rented landlords and their workforce to address and reduce the risk of damp and mould in their homes
It may also be of interest to health and social care professionals, owner-occupiers and tenants.
The report delivers on the government’s commitment in response to the Coroner’s ‘Prevention of future deaths’ report following the death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak from a severe respiratory condition due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
The Coroner’s report included the concern (matter of concern 3) that:
There was no evidence that up-to-date relevant health information pertinent to the risk of damp and mould was easily accessible to the housing sector.
The guidance is published jointly by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the UK Health Security Agency, following extensive engagement with the housing and health sectors, including tenant representative groups.
Updates to this page
Published 7 September 2023
Last updated 151 AugustApril 2024
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Update history
2026-04-01 14:18
Updated list of what is available from local councils for tenants who need extra support.
2024-08-15 15:32
Removed ministerial foreword. In annex C: energy support for households, updated date on Warm Home Discount Scheme and updated date and payments on Winter Fuel Payment scheme.
2023-09-07 13:30
First published.
Details
The consolidated guidance sets out the:
- health risks of damp and mould
- actions that can be taken by social and private rented landlords and their workforce to address and reduce the risk of damp and mould in their homes
It may also be of interest to health and social care professionals, owner-occupiers and tenants.
The report delivers on the government’s commitment in response to the Coroner’s ‘Prevention of future deaths’ report following the death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak from a severe respiratory condition due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
The Coroner’s report included the concern (matter of concern 3) that:
There was no evidence that up-to-date relevant health information pertinent to the risk of damp and mould was easily accessible to the housing sector.
The guidance is published jointly by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the UK Health Security Agency, following extensive engagement with the housing and health sectors, including tenant representative groups.
Updates to this page
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2026-04-01 14:18
Updated list of what is available from local councils for tenants who need extra support.
2024-08-15 15:32
Removed ministerial foreword. In annex C: energy support for households, updated date on Warm Home Discount Scheme and updated date and payments on Winter Fuel Payment scheme.
2023-09-07 13:30
First published.