How to Spot Damp and Mould Before You Buy a Home

• Dark or discoloured patches on walls or ceilings.
• A musty smell, especially in a room that is rarely used.
• Peeling paint or wallpaper, or plaster that feels soft or crumbly.
• Black or green spots, often in corners, behind furniture, or around windows.
• Water forming on the inside of windows, especially in colder months.

One sign on its own is not always serious, but more than one together is worth taking seriously.

Damp and mould have become a bigger focus in UK housing recently. A rule called Awaab's Law already requires social housing landlords to fix serious damp and mould quickly, and it is expected to apply to private rented homes too from 2027.

This does not directly affect a homeowner living in their own home, but it shows how seriously damp and mould are now being treated across UK housing. It is a good reason not to ignore the signs above.

Damp can have more than one cause, such as a leak, poor airflow, or moisture coming up from the ground. Each needs a different fix, so it is worth getting a proper survey rather than guessing.

See How to Find a Trustworthy Damp and Timber Specialist in the UK for how to find someone qualified to diagnose the cause, not just sell you a treatment.

Once damp or mould has been properly treated, keep a record of the survey, the work carried out, and any guarantee. This is useful for you, and it reassures a future buyer that the problem was dealt with properly rather than simply painted over.