How to deal with condensation

Condensation happens when wet air forms water droplets on a cold surface, like a wall or window.

It's often a cause of mould.

Some everyday things can cause condensation. These include:

• cooking

• baths and showers

• drying clothes indoors

Even breathing causes condensation because the air we breathe out contains water.

Your landlord should not tell you to stop doing everyday things because of condensation. But it's your responsibility to take simple steps to reduce condensation in your home.

Let fresh air in

Condensation is more likely when wet air stays in one place.

Try to:

• open doors in rooms you use often

• open windows for some time every day

• leave a gap between furniture and walls to allow air to circulate

Use extractor fans

If your kitchen or bathroom has an extractor fan, use it whenever you're cooking or having a bath or a shower.

Make sure extractor fan vents are not blocked.

Some extractor fans need servicing. Check with your landlord if you're not sure about yours.

Tell your landlord if you do not have extractor fans in your home but think you need one.

If your extractor fan does not work, tell your landlord. It's usually their responsibility to fix it.

Deal with condensation from cooking

Cooking and boiling kettles can produce a lot of condensation.

When you cook:

• cover pans

• use extractor fans

• open kitchen windows

Closing the kitchen door when cooking stops wet air moving to other parts of your home.

If you can, move appliances that make a lot of steam, like kettles, closer to windows or extractor fans.

Clean up water

Cleaning up water quickly can stop it from getting into the air and creating more condensation.

This includes:

• mopping up spills in the kitchen or bathroom

• wiping around bedroom windows in the mornings

• wiping down the bathroom after showering or bathing

Take care when drying clothes

Drying clothes indoors can make condensation worse.

To stop condensation, try:

• drying clothes outside

• using a tumble dryer

• using a dehumidifier in the room where clothes are drying

Talk to your landlord if you have to dry clothes indoors. They could:

• improve ventilation

• help with the cost of using a tumble dryer or dehumidifier

Use a dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers take water out of the air. They can help stop condensation in places where air can be wetter. For example, bathrooms or bedrooms.

Talk to your landlord about helping with the cost if they say you should use one.

Keep your home warm

Warmer air holds more water. A warm home means more water can stay in the air instead of collecting on windows, walls or ceilings.

Heating your home in cold weather can help. Some advice says keeping your heating on a low temperature all the time is better than turning it on only at certain times.

Tell your landlord if:

• there are problems with the heating

• you cannot afford the cost of heating your home

• your home is cold even though you use central heating

It's your landlord's responsibility to make sure your heating works. They could help you get support with the cost of heating.

If you still get condensation

Tell your landlord if you've taken these steps but still have damp and mould.

Your landlord should:

• check why condensation keeps happening

• fix problems with your home, like not enough insulation or ventilation