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The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, mandates that social landlords address damp and mould hazards within strict timescales, and strengthens the powers of the Regulator of Social Housing and the Housing Ombudsman.
As part of the government's mission to transform the safety and quality of social housing, the law that will come into force from October 2025, forces social and private landlords to investigate and fix dangerous damp and mould within a set amount of time as well as repair all emergency hazards within 24 hours of being reported.
The Act places the responsibility of property maintenance, including mould prevention and removal, squarely on landlords and strengthens the powers of the Housing Ombudsman, allowing them to take action against landlords who fail to address issues or comply with the law, and hand out unlimited fines for serious breaches.
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The time it takes to clean mould depends on the severity of the issue and the size of the affected area.
Here’s a general breakdown:- Small areas (bathroom corners, window sills) – A few hours to a day.
- Moderate mould growth (patches on walls, ceilings, or floors in one or two rooms) – 1 to 3 days.
- Severe infestations (large areas of mould, multiple rooms, or structural damage) – Several days to a week or more, especially if materials like drywall or flooring need to be replaced.
If the mould is due to an underlying moisture issue (like a leak or poor ventilation), fixing that first is crucial to prevent it from returning. -
Yes, in most cases, you’ll need to remove as much as possible from the affected room before mould removal begins. This helps prevent contamination and allows out team to work efficiently.
Here’s what to consider:
What to Remove:
- Furniture & Belongings – If possible, move items to another room to protect them from mould spores. If some furniture can’t be moved, cover it with plastic sheeting.
- Clothing, Bedding & Soft Furnishings – Wash any fabrics that may have been exposed to mould. Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in plastic bags until you can assess their condition.
- Electronics & Personal Items – Remove anything valuable or sensitive to dust, moisture, or chemicals.
What to Leave Behind:
- Heavily Contaminated Items – If mould has deeply affected certain objects (carpets, upholstered furniture, or paper materials), professionals may advise disposal rather than removal.
Additional Considerations:
- We usually seal off the room and use air filtration systems to prevent mould spores from spreading.
- If you’re unsure about specific items, we will be able to guide you.
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Whether you need to vacate your property during mould removal depends on the extent of the issue and the methods used for remediation. Here’s a general guide:
When You Can Stay:
- Small to moderate mould issues (e.g., bathroom walls, small patches on ceilings, or isolated spots in one or two rooms).
- If the work is limited to a specific area and containment measures (like plastic sheeting and air filtration) are in place.
- If non-toxic cleaning agents are used, and there’s minimal disruption.
When You Should Consider Leaving:
- Severe mould infestations affecting multiple rooms or large structural areas.
- If professionals use strong chemicals that could cause irritation or health risks.
- If you or anyone in the household has allergies, asthma, or respiratory issues that could be aggravated by airborne spores.
- If the remediation requires tearing out and replacing materials like drywall, flooring, or insulation, which can be disruptive and noisy.
Most professional mould removal jobs take precautions to minimise exposure, but if in doubt, the company handling the remediation should be able to advise you on whether it’s safe to stay.