UK damp & mould statistics (2026)
The scale of damp and mould in UK housing, the rise in complaints, and the legislation now driving action. Figures are sourced and free to cite with a link to this page.
homes in England estimated to have damp problems
Source: English Housing Survey
dwellings are pre-1919 stock, which is disproportionately likely to suffer damp
Source: English Housing Survey
private-rented homes have damp, against roughly 1 in 14 social-rented and 1 in 25 owner-occupied homes
Source: English Housing Survey (2024 government data)
Awaab's Law damp and mould duties came into force for social housing in England
Source: Awaab's Law (section 10A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, inserted by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, and the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025)
Why the numbers matter
Damp and mould are no longer treated as a lifestyle issue or a maintenance backlog item. With around 900,000 homes in England affected, complaints to the Housing Ombudsman climbing, and the oldest housing stock most at risk, the problem is both widespread and concentrated in the homes least able to deal with it. The response has been a wave of regulation that puts hard duties on landlords.
For the full analysis, read our state of the UK damp and mould crisis piece.
The legislation timeline
- 2020
Awaab Ishak dies from prolonged exposure to mould in social housing; the 2022 inquest makes damp and mould a national issue.
- 27 October 2025
Awaab's Law damp and mould duties begin for social landlords in England: statutory deadlines to investigate and make safe.
- 23 June 2026
The reformed HHSRS takes effect in England: 29 hazards become 21 and the A–J bands are replaced by High, Medium and Low. The Category 1 threshold is unchanged at a score of 1,000 or more.
- 30 November 2026
Awaab's Law Phase 2 extends statutory response deadlines beyond damp and mould to further hazards, including excess cold and heat, falls, structural, fire, electrical and hygiene hazards.
- Expected 2027
Awaab's Law Phase 3 is expected to extend the duties to the remaining hazards, other than overcrowding.
- Date not yet confirmed
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 provides for the Awaab's Law framework and the revised Decent Homes Standard to be extended to the private rented sector. Commencement follows consultation and no date has been confirmed.
Using these figures
You are welcome to cite these statistics in your own reporting, tenders or training, with a link back to this page. For the tools that put compliance into practice, see the free Awaab's Law deadline calculator and the Awaab's Law compliance module.