The Best Solutions for Rising Damp in a Rental Property

Damp and mould in a private rented property should be dealt with quickly to prevent health issues and permanent damage to the structure of the building. However, damp isn’t always easy to get rid of, and rising damp in particular often proves very tricky to treat.

If you’ve noticed musty smells, peeling paint, or damp patches on walls, it could be a sign of rising mould. In this guide, we’ll outline the best solutions for rising damp in rental properties, exploring the most effective ways to treat and prevent it.

For UK landlords, treating damp and mould promptly and effectively is a legal requirement. Take our CPD-certified damp and mould training course to ensure you’re staying compliant.

What is rising damp and how can it be identified?

Rising damp is moisture that moves up through walls from the ground. All properties should have a protective barrier known as a damp-proof course (DPC), which is built into the wall near ground level to stop groundwater from entering. However, if the DPC is missing or damaged, groundwater can come in and be drawn up through the walls, causing rising damp to develop.

This type of damp is most common in older properties (DPCs weren’t introduced until 1875) or in properties where maintenance has been neglected (blocked or leaky gutters, for example).

Common signs of rising damp in a rental property include:

• Tide marks or staining on walls
• Crumbling plaster or paint
• Mould growth near skirting boards
• A musty smell

It’s important to note that not all damp is ‘rising damp’ – there are other types as well, and they are treated in different ways. See our blog on how to treat the most common types of damp for more information.

What are the best solutions for rising damp in a rental property?

Once you’ve properly identified rising damp, you’ll need to treat it effectively and prevent it from returning. As we’ve already mentioned, rising damp can be hard to get rid of, so it may be best to hire a professional rather than attempting to do it yourself.

Let’s take a look at the best solutions for rising damp:

1. Repair or install a DPC

A damp-proof course (DPC) prevents moisture from moving upwards through walls, but in older buildings, it can deteriorate or may never have been installed at all.

If the existing DPC has failed, it can often be restored using a chemical injection. This involves injecting a water-repellent cream into the walls that forms a new barrier. It’s one of the most common and cost-effective treatments for rising damp, and causes minimal disruption to tenants.

In more severe cases, such as where the wall has been badly damaged, a physical DPC replacement might be required. Installing this involves removing and replacing sections of brickwork – it’s a more expensive option, but provides a permanent fix to the issue.

2. Improve drainage

If there’s poor drainage around the property, this can cause groundwater to pool against exterior walls, which makes rising damp more likely.

One solution for this is to lower the external ground level so that it sits below the internal floor level. If this is not possible, consider adding drains to direct water away from the walls. Regularly clearing your gutters and drains will also help prevent rainwater from overflowing and soaking into the brickwork.

3. Improve ventilation and heating

Even after you’ve found the source of the damp and fixed it, moisture can still linger in the air and make the problem worse if your property isn’t well ventilated. Encourage tenants to use extractor fans, open windows, and heat rooms evenly. You could also put dehumidifiers in the property to maintain a healthy humidity level.

Tips for preventing rising damp from coming back

While we wish we could tell you that once rising damp has been treated, you’ll never have to worry about it again, unfortunately this is not the case. You’ll need to make conscious efforts to prevent it from coming back and keep your property dry and healthy.

• Regular inspections: Carrying out inspections of the property once or twice a year will help you spot any signs of damp early on, which could save you hundreds of pounds in repairs later on.
• Routine property maintenance: Clean out drains and make sure downpipes are secure on a regular basis to minimise the risk of more water seeping in. You should also consider getting a professional in to perform annual damp checks.
• Set expectations with tenants: Encourage your tenants to report any signs of damp immediately and keep rooms well ventilated. Good communication between landlords and tenants often proves to be the simplest and most effective way to prevent damp from returning!

Why is it so important to treat rising damp quickly?

Rising damp is an eyesore, but that’s not the only reason you should act quickly to get rid of rising damp in your property.

Avoid health risks

Damp conditions create the perfect environment for mould growth, which can cause a whole host of health problems, including respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma. In some cases, living in damp and mouldy conditions can even lead to death, with children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions being most at risk. Two-year-old Awaab Ishak tragically died due to a severe respiratory infection caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home, which has led to the introduction of Awaab’s Law.

Prevent property damage

Rising damp can weaken plaster and compromise the stability of the walls in your property, which may lead to costly repairs later down the line if not dealt with quickly. Early treatment stops minor issues from developing into serious structural damage.

Legal obligation

Under various UK housing laws, including the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, all landlords are required to provide a property that’s safe, secure, and free from damp. Ignoring these problems puts the health and safety of your tenants at risk, and can therefore lead to enforcement action and hefty fines.

Read more about your legal obligations in our guide: What Is a Landlord’s Responsibility for Damp and Mould in a Rental Property?

Stay on top of your damp and mould obligations with e-learning courses from Virtual College

As a landlord, it can be hard to keep up with the latest legislation concerning damp and mould in private rented properties. That’s where Virtual College can help – our damp and mould e-learning course will teach you everything you need to know, including how to identify damp, how to safely remove mould, and what your legal obligations are.

Discover our full range of social housing e-learning courses to help you stay compliant and keep your tenants safe.