Luv Plymouth LettingsPlymouth Property Specialists
Tenant guide

Condensation & damp

Why condensation happens and the simple steps that keep it under control.

Tenants › Condensation & damp

What causes condensation?

Everyday living creates a surprising amount of moisture — cooking, showering, drying clothes and even breathing. When that warm, moist air meets a cold surface such as a window or an outside wall, it turns back into water. Left alone, that moisture can lead to black mould, especially in corners, behind furniture and around windows. The good news is that condensation is usually easy to manage.

Reduce the moisture

  • Cover pans while cooking and use the extractor fan or open a window.
  • Dry washing outside where you can. If you must dry indoors, do it in one room with the door shut and a window open.
  • If you use a tumble dryer, make sure it is properly vented outside (or is a condenser type).
  • Wipe down windows, sills and shower screens after they mist up.

Let the air move

  • Ventilate each room a little every day — even ten minutes with the window ajar helps.
  • Keep trickle vents on windows open, and don’t block air bricks or extractor grilles.
  • Leave a small gap between furniture and outside walls so air can circulate.
  • Keep a gentle, steady background heat in cold weather rather than letting rooms go completely cold.

Already seeing mould?

Wipe small patches of surface mould away promptly with a proprietary mould cleaner and dry the area well — and then tackle the cause using the steps above. If damp keeps returning, spreads, or you suspect it isn’t simple condensation (for example a leak, penetrating or rising damp), please report it to us. We’d far rather hear about it early so we can investigate and put it right.

Something not right at your home? Use our Report a repair page to log a repair, or email hello@luvplymouthlettings.co.uk.