Damp, mould and leaks are not just “one of those things” that tenants have to put up with. When a home has persistent moisture problems — whether it’s water coming through a ceiling, mould spreading behind furniture, or walls that never properly dry out — it can affect day-to-day life fast. It can damage belongings, make rooms unusable, and, in more serious cases, impact health. Government guidance notes that damp and mould predominantly affect the airways and lungs and can cause serious respiratory illness.

Claim First’s housing disrepair work is designed to make the process feel clear and manageable: simple, fast, and stress-free, with the legal work handled for the tenant. For anyone living in a council or housing association property with unresolved damp, mould or leaks, it helps to understand what counts as disrepair, what evidence matters, and how a typical claim is built.

What counts as housing disrepair (and why damp and leaks usually qualify)

Housing disrepair is generally about serious problems in a rented home that the landlord has not fixed, and Claim First’s own examples include damp, leaks, broken heating, unsafe electrics, and structural issues. Damp and mould often sit alongside leaks because ongoing moisture can be caused by:

• a leaking roof, guttering, or downpipes

• plumbing leaks (including within walls)

• defective windows or external walls letting water in

• poor ventilation linked to disrepair (for example, faulty extractor fans)

In England and Wales, landlords also have long-standing duties to keep the structure and exterior in repair and to keep key installations (like water, heating and electrics) working properly under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Separately, Government guidance on the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 explains that landlords must ensure a home is “fit for human habitation” — safe, healthy, and free from serious hazards.

For social housing in England, there is also the newer framework known as Awaab’s Law, which came into force on 27 October 2025 and initially focuses on emergency hazards and significant damp and mould hazards within fixed timeframes.

Why damp, mould and leaks should be treated seriously

People often try to “manage” damp by wiping it down or buying a dehumidifier. That might help short-term comfort, but it does not solve the cause — and it can leave the underlying defect getting worse.

Damp and mould are linked to respiratory symptoms and infections, and the NHS also highlights increased risk of respiratory problems for people living with damp and mould indoors. Leaks bring their own risks too: damaged electrics, rotten timbers, crumbling plaster and ceilings, and long-term structural deterioration.

From a claims perspective, the key point is simple: if the issue is ongoing, has been reported, and the landlord has not put it right, it is worth getting advice.

Who Claim First can help with (and the basic eligibility checks)

Claim First’s housing disrepair service is aimed at tenants in council or housing association homes. Their published criteria also include:

• the disrepair has been ongoing for at least 3 months since first being reported, and

• the repairs are likely to cost £1,000 or more (minor issues like a dripping tap won’t usually qualify).

What tenants should do before (and during) a damp or leak claim

A strong housing disrepair claim is usually built on clear reporting + clear evidence. Here’s what most specialists will advise tenants to do.

1) Report the problem in writing (and keep proof)

Tenants should report damp, mould and leaks to the landlord or repairs line and keep a record of:

• the date first reported

• the reference number (if given)

• photos attached to the report

• any follow-up chasers

If the landlord has an online portal, screenshots help too.

2) Take dated photos and short videos

Evidence does not have to be “perfect”. A phone camera is often enough. Useful shots include:

• wide shots showing the room and location

• close-ups showing mould growth, water staining, bubbling paint, damaged plaster

• videos showing active dripping or water ingress during rain

• recurring issues over time (weekly photos can show spread)

Claim First notes that supporting photos are often all that is needed to get a case set up.

3) Keep a simple diary of impact

A few bullet points per week can be powerful:

• which rooms are affected

• what cannot be used (for example, “bedroom unusable due to mould smell”)

• how it affected daily life (laundry, sleep, heating costs, cleaning time)

• any damage to clothing, furniture or children’s items

4) Keep receipts for damaged items (if safe to do so)

If a leak destroys a rug, mattress, or curtains, it helps to keep:

• photos of the damage

• purchase receipts (where possible)

• replacement costs

5) Get medical evidence if health has been affected

Not everyone will need this, but if a tenant has had symptoms that worsen at home — particularly asthma, chest infections, persistent cough, or skin irritation — speaking to a GP and keeping records can help. Government guidance is clear that damp and mould can drive respiratory harm, especially for vulnerable people.

What a claim usually aims to achieve

A housing disrepair claim is often about 2 outcomes at the same time:

1. repairs being enforced so the home is safe and usable again

2. compensation for the period the tenant has had to live with the issue

Claim First’s housing disrepair page is explicit about both: enforcing repairs and seeking financial compensation for the inconvenience, with messaging like “you could claim £1,000s and get repairs enforced.”

Compensation can vary case by case, depending on severity, duration, and impact — and Claim First says they provide clearer advice once evidence has been reviewed.

How long do damp and mould housing disrepair claims take?

There is no single timeline that fits every landlord, but Claim First’s guidance is that most cases take between 6 and 18 months, depending on the landlord’s response — with repairs often completed earlier than the final conclusion.

This is one reason many tenants choose support rather than trying to push alone: a claims team can chase, document delays properly, and keep pressure on until action happens.

Why people choose Claim First for housing disrepair

The tone across Claim First’s site is consistent: handle the hard work, reduce stress, and keep the process straightforward — No Win. No Fee. No Stress. Just Results.

If a tenant is dealing with damp, mould, or a persistent leak in a council or housing association home — and they’ve reported it but nothing has changed — they do not have to just live with it.

Claim First can check eligibility for free and explain the next steps in plain English.

If you suspect you’ve been affected by unfair or unlawful practices, Claim First is ready to stand up for your rights. From making a car finance pcp claim to working with a trusted payday loan refund company, their specialist team makes the claims process clear and stress-free. Claim First also provides reliable housing disrepair services for tenants living in unsafe or neglected properties, as well as expert scam recovery services to help with lost funds from fraudulent schemes. Take control today — speak to Claim First and start your claim with confidence.