If you’re dealing with black mould at home, you already know it’s more than “just a bit of mess”. It can smell awful, ruin your belongings, and make your place feel uncomfortable to live in. But the biggest worry for many people is the same: is it affecting your health and can you prove it?

You’re not imagining it. UK guidance is clear that damp and mould in the home can create allergens and irritants (and sometimes other harmful substances), and that even damp without obvious mould can increase health risks.

And it’s not rare. The English Housing Survey 2023–24 found that private rented and local authority homes were the most likely to have damp (both 9%), with housing association homes at 5% and owner-occupied at 4%. UKHSA also highlights the scale of the issue, estimating around 2 million people in England are living in homes with significant damp and/or mould.

This article breaks down the most common health impacts linked to mould exposure, what tends to show up in medical notes, and when it’s worth getting medical evidence to support a housing disrepair claim.

What people mean by “black mould”

“Black mould” is usually used to describe dark patches of mould growth on walls, ceilings, window frames, behind furniture, or around cold corners. The colour doesn’t automatically tell you the exact mould type but it’s still a red flag.

Mould can release spores and fragments into the air, plus substances that can trigger reactions. NHS Inform explains that moulds can produce allergens, irritants, and sometimes toxic substances.

So if you’re breathing that in day after day, it can start to show up in how you feel.

Common health impacts linked to mould exposure

Not everyone reacts the same way. Some people barely notice it. Others get symptoms quickly — especially if they’re in a higher-risk group (more on that below).

1) Breathing and chest symptoms

This is the big one. Damp and mould are widely linked to respiratory problems and flare-ups.

You might notice:

• A new cough that doesn’t go away

• Wheezing, tight chest, or shortness of breath

• More colds and chest infections than usual

• Asthma symptoms getting worse (more inhaler use, more night waking)

Asthma + Lung UK notes that damp and mould can make lung condition symptoms worse and may increase the risk of infections in some people.

2) Allergies and irritation

Even if you don’t have asthma, mould exposure can set off allergy-type symptoms.

Common ones include:

• Sneezing, runny or blocked nose

• Itchy eyes, watery eyes

• Sore throat or hoarse voice

• Skin irritation or rashes in some cases

These symptoms often get worse at home and ease when you’re away for a day or 2 that pattern can be useful to note down.

3) Fatigue, headaches, and “feeling run down”

People often report feeling constantly tired or getting headaches in mouldy homes. That can be linked to a mix of things: poor sleep, irritation, infections, stress, and living in cold damp conditions.

It’s not always easy to pin this down medically, but it still matters especially if it’s affecting your work or day-to-day life.

4) Mental wellbeing and stress

Living with mould is stressful. It can feel embarrassing, you might avoid having people round, and it can be exhausting constantly cleaning and worrying.

That stress can show up as:

• Anxiety

• Low mood

• Sleep problems

• Feeling overwhelmed (especially if you’ve been ignored after reporting it)

Even if your GP doesn’t write “black mould caused this”, your medical records may reflect the impact the situation is having on you and that can help show the wider harm you’ve experienced.

Who is most at risk?

Certain people are more likely to be affected, and more likely to need medical support.

You should take it extra seriously if you or someone in your household is:

• A baby or young child

• Older (especially with existing health conditions)

• Pregnant

• Living with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, or other lung conditions

• Immunocompromised (for example due to certain medications or conditions)

This is also why UK guidance aimed at rented housing providers stresses the health risks and the need to act not just blame “lifestyle”.

When should you seek medical help?

You don’t need to wait until you’re seriously ill to speak to someone. But there are clear times when it’s worth getting checked — both for your health and for evidence.

Book a GP or NHS 111 appointment if:

• Your cough, wheeze, or breathlessness is lasting more than 3 weeks

• Your asthma is worsening (more inhaler use, symptoms at night)

• You’re getting repeated chest infections

• Your child is coughing or wheezing more than usual

• You’ve got ongoing allergic symptoms that don’t settle

• Your symptoms improve away from home and return when you’re back

Seek urgent medical help (NHS 111 / urgent care / A&E) if:

• You’re struggling to breathe

• You have chest pain

• Your lips or face look bluish

• A child is working hard to breathe (ribs sucking in, very fast breathing, unusually sleepy)

• You have a severe asthma attack that isn’t improving

Your health comes first. Evidence comes second.

What counts as “medical evidence” for a mould-related claim?

Medical evidence doesn’t have to be complicated. In most cases, it’s about showing a consistent story:

1. You were exposed to damp/mould at home, and

2. You developed or worsened symptoms, and

3. You sought treatment, and

4. The records reflect the symptoms and impact.

Here are the most common forms of evidence people use.

GP records and appointment notes

Your GP record may show:

• New respiratory symptoms

• Diagnosis of asthma or allergic rhinitis

• Notes about worsening existing conditions

• Prescriptions given (inhalers, antihistamines, steroid creams)

You can also tell your GP (calmly and clearly) that symptoms feel worse at home due to damp/mould. If they note that in your record, it can be helpful.

Prescriptions and medication history

In England, each NHS prescription item currently costs £9.90 unless you’re exempt (and prescription charges are different in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
Keep receipts if you pay, and keep a record of:

• Inhalers

• Antihistamines

• Antibiotics for repeated infections

• Steroid creams for skin flare-ups

Fit notes (sick notes) and time off work

If mould-related symptoms cause you to miss work, a fit note can support the impact on your life. NHS guidance states you do not pay for a fit note if you’re off sick for more than 7 days.

Hospital / urgent care records

If you attend urgent care or A&E for breathing issues, those discharge summaries can be strong evidence.

Specialist letters

Not everyone needs this. But if symptoms are severe or ongoing, you might be referred to respiratory or allergy specialists. Any letter that links symptoms to environment triggers can support your case.

How to speak to your GP so it’s actually helpful

A lot of people go to the GP, describe symptoms, and leave without any mention of the housing situation which makes the records less useful later.

Try this approach:

• Describe your symptoms clearly (when they started, how often, how bad)

• Mention patterns: “It’s worse at home”, “It improves when I’m away”

• Explain the home conditions briefly: damp patches, visible mould, musty smell, worsening in winter, etc.

• Say what you need: help managing symptoms, and to note the suspected trigger

Why medical evidence matters for housing disrepair claims

Medical evidence can support:

• The seriousness of the disrepair

• The impact on your daily life

• How long you’ve been affected

• Whether anyone in your home is vulnerable

And it can help push back if a landlord tries to downplay it as “condensation” or “your fault”.

If you’re claiming through Claim First, their housing disrepair page explains eligibility is typically for council or housing association tenants, where the issue was first reported over 3 months ago, and the disrepair has caused at least £1,000 worth of damage.

What else you should collect alongside medical evidence

Medical evidence is powerful, but it works best alongside practical proof. Start keeping:

• Dated photos/videos of mould growth (wide shots + close-ups)

• A diary of symptoms (especially changes when you’re away from home)

• Copies of repair reports and complaint emails

• Any responses from the landlord (or lack of response)

• Receipts for damaged items (clothes, furniture, carpets)

This helps show the full picture: not just “mould exists”, but “mould exists, you reported it, it wasn’t fixed, and it affected your health and home”.

FAQs

Can black mould make you ill?

It can. Mould can release allergens and irritants, and for some people that leads to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, nasal irritation, or flare-ups of asthma and allergies. If you’ve got an existing lung condition, damp and mould can make symptoms worse.

What symptoms should you take seriously?

If you’ve got breathing problems, a persistent cough, worsening asthma, repeated chest infections, or symptoms in a baby/young child, it’s worth speaking to a clinician. Seek urgent help if you’re struggling to breathe or symptoms are severe.

Do you need a doctor to confirm the mould caused your symptoms?

Usually, no. What matters most is that your medical notes reflect your symptoms and (where appropriate) that you reported the home environment could be a trigger. You’re building a consistent record, not trying to force a medical professional to “prove” causation.

What medical evidence is best for a housing disrepair claim?

Common helpful evidence includes GP notes, prescription history, fit notes, hospital discharge summaries, and any referrals to specialists. Pair it with photos, repair reports, and a symptom diary for a stronger overall case.

Do you have to pay for medical evidence in the UK?

Most NHS care is free at the point of use. In England, prescriptions can cost £9.90 per item unless you’re exempt, and charges differ across the UK nations. Fit notes are free if you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days. Some GP letters for non-NHS purposes may carry a fee, depending on the request.

What if your landlord says it’s “your lifestyle”?

UK guidance aimed at housing providers specifically warns against defaulting to “lifestyle choices” and places responsibility on landlords to identify and address underlying causes. That’s why evidence (photos, reporting history, medical notes) matters — it helps you show this is a real problem that needs fixing.

When should you start gathering medical evidence?

If you’re getting ongoing symptoms, if someone in your household is vulnerable, or if the problem has been going on for weeks/months, start building a record early. It’s much easier than trying to reconstruct everything later.

Next steps

If black mould is affecting your health, your home, or your peace of mind, you don’t have to keep putting up with it. Start with Housing Disrepair Claims, or if you’re unsure, Contact Claim First and get clear, no-nonsense help.

No win, no fee. No stress. Just results.