We take all reports of damp and mould in your home very seriously, as it can have a significant impact on health if left untreated. That’s why we are committed to tackling any cases as soon as possible.
If you believe you are experiencing damp issues, particularly as a result of a defect in the building, please report it to us by calling 0117 914 4257 or by email: [email protected]
What Brunelcare will do to help
A new set of government rules, known as Awaab’s Law, came into effect from 27 October 2025. The law sets clear legal deadlines for social housing landlords to act quickly to tackle damp and mould and any significant hazards in residents’ homes, so that you are not left living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions. The law is named in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died as a result of prolonged exposure to mould in his home in Rochdale in 2020.
Under the new legislation, we are required to respond to emergency hazards within 24 hours. We are required to respond to significant hazards within 10 days. Brunelcare is fully committed to meeting and exceeding these standards.
- What Awaab's law means for you:
The Regulations mean we as landlords must:
- Investigate any potential emergency hazards and, if hazards are confirmed, undertake relevant safety work as soon as reasonably practicable. The investigation and the work must both take place within 24 hours of becoming aware of the hazard.
- Investigate any potential significant hazards within 10 working days of becoming aware of them.
- Produce a written summary of investigation findings and send this to you within 3 working days of the conclusion of the investigation.
- Undertake relevant safety work within 5 working days of the investigation concluding, if the investigation identifies a significant hazard.
- Begin, or take steps to begin, any supplementary preventative work to prevent a significant or emergency hazard recurring within 5 working days of the investigation concluding, if the investigation identifies a significant or emergency hazard. If steps cannot be taken to begin work in 5 working days this must be done as soon as possible, and work must be physically started within 12 weeks.
- Satisfactorily complete supplementary preventative works within a reasonable time period.
- Secure the provision of suitable alternative accommodation for you and anyone living in your home, at our expense, if relevant safety work cannot be completed within specified timeframes.
- Keep you updated throughout the process and provide information on how to keep you safe.
- What is the difference between an emergency and significant hazard?
A significant hazard is one that poses a real risk to the health or safety of you and your household but doesn’t require immediate action. There isn’t an imminent risk, but it is serious enough to harm health if not dealt with promptly.
An emergency hazard is one that poses an immediate and serious risk to your health or safety.
Examples of hazards that could be emergency hazards requiring emergency action include, but are not limited to:
- Gas leaks
- Broken boilers
- Total loss of water supply
- Electrical hazards such as exposed wiring
- Significant leaks
- Broken external doors or windows that present a risk to home security
- Prevalent damp and/or mould that is having a material impact on your health, for example your ability to breathe
- Significant structural defects or disrepair.
Tackling damp, mould and condensation in your home
Understanding more about the causes of damp and mould can help you to prevent it in your home.
- What causes damp and mould?
- Condensation is one of the main causes of damp and mould. As the name suggests, condensation is water which has “condensed” from warm, moist air on contact with a cold surface.
- ‘Penetrating damp’ can be caused by moisture coming into the house through leaking or cracked pipework, a damaged roof, blocked guttering, gaps around window frames, or cracks and defects in rendering and brickwork. All these problems can be remedied.
- ‘Rising damp’ is due to a defective or non-existent damp course. This will leave a ‘tidemark’ about a metre above the floor.
- What is the difference between damp and condensation?
Condensation is normally found on cold surfaces such as walls, windows, window sills or mirrors, and is more prominent in the colder months. The most common signs of condensation are water collecting on windows, or black mould which can appear on any walls of the property.
Damp occurs when a fault in the building’s basic structure lets water in from the outside, and can penetrate walls, floors, and ceilings. You may see damp patches or tide marks on the walls or peeling paint or wallpaper.
- How can you reduce condensation in your home?
Here are some tips to help you prevent condensation in your home:
- Manage moisture! – cover pans while you’re cooking, and dry clothes outdoors where possible. If you need to dry clothes indoors, create some ventilation by opening a window.
- Let fresh air in – open your windows to let air circulate around your home. It’s especially important to do this during blue sky weather. Move your furniture away from radiators and external walls and keep trickle vents in window frames open.
- Heat your home a little more – keep your heating on at a lower temperature for longer periods of time. A heated home helps prevent condensation from forming on cold surfaces. Keep those walls warm!
- Stop moisture spreading – use an extractor fan when you are cooking or in the shower or bath, and keep your kitchen and bathroom doors closed. Wipe condensation from windows each morning to prevent mould forming.