Moving out because of damp and mould
Your council or housing association might ask you to move into another property so they can fix damp and mould.
Sometimes you might feel that moving is the only option.
If your landlord asks you to move until damp and mould is fixed
Your landlord might ask you to move into another property until the repairs are finished.
This is sometimes called being decanted.
Decanting usually only happens if the repairs are serious or disruptive.
You can usually move back in when repairs are done.
Check your tenancy agreement and ask your landlord for their decanting or repairs policy to see what should happen.
Your landlord's policy should tell you:
how soon you could move back in
what property they should offer you
if you need to pay rent on both homes
how they decide if you should move out
what to do if you do not think you need to move out
what help they can give you with the cost of moving
Talk to your landlord about rent
Tell your landlord that you can only pay rent on 1 home. Get it in writing if they agree.
If your landlord disagrees, you could:
say it's not reasonable to pay rent on both properties
tell your landlord you cannot afford to pay 2 lots of rent
ask for a copy of their decanting policy to check what is says about paying rent
Your landlord might have to think about a different solution.
But do not stop paying your rent.
Ask your landlord for details about moving
You can ask your landlord for more information about the property they want you to move into.
Use our letter template to ask your landlord for more information about the property
[Use the subject: Request for more information about a property you've asked me to move to]
My name is [your name].
I am the tenant at [your address].
I notified you about damp and mould in my home.
On [date when the damage was caused] you told me that I have to move out in order for damp and mould to be fixed.
You have offered me this property: [insert the property address if you know it]
I would like you to answer the following questions: [add or delete any questions you want your landlord to answer]
How long am I expected to move out for?
Will you require me to pay rent on both homes?
What help can you offer with the cost of moving?
What to do if I think the property is not suitable for me?
Please send your replies by email or in writing.
Please also send me copies of your policies on:
repairs
decanting
damp and mould
I look forward to hearing from you.
Different formats
You can also send it as an email attachment or through the post.
Word template: Ask your social landlord for more information about a property (docx 18kb)
OpenDocument template: Ask your social landlord for more information about a property (odt 11kb)
Ask your landlord who to contact if you're not sure where to send it to.
If your landlord offers you somewhere not suitable
Let your landlord know if the temporary property they've offered is not suitable, for example because:
you live with small children or a disabled person and there are too many stairs
it's too far from work or school
it's too expensive
Keep evidence of your landlord's response.
Use our letter template to say that the property your landlord offered you is not suitable.
[Use the subject: The property you have offered is not suitable]
My name is [your name].
I am the tenant at [your address].
I notified you about damp and mould in my home.
On [date] you told me that I have to move out in order for damp and mould to be fixed.
You have offered me this property: [insert the property address if you know it]
Unfortunately, the property is not suitable for me because:
[add or delete bulletpoints to explain why the property is not suitable]
rent is too expensive
it's not big enough for my family
it's not accessible due to disabilities in my household
it's too far from my work and I cannot afford the travel cost
it's too far from my children's school and I cannot afford the travel cost
Please arrange for someone to contact me to discuss my concerns.
I am not refusing to move. I am highlighting the problems with your offer. I would like you to look for a different property.
Please also send me copies of your policies on:
repairs
decanting
damp and mould
I look forward to hearing from you.
Different formats
Word template: Tell your landlord why the property they offered is not suitable (docx 18kb)
OpenDocument template: Tell your landlord why the property they offered is not suitable (odt 11kb)
You can also send it as an email attachment or through the post.
Ask your landlord who to contact if you're not sure where to send it to.
If your landlord says you have to move out permanently
Your council or housing association usually only do this if:
the repairs are very serious
your home is going to be rebuilt or demolished
You can ask:
why you cannot return when the work is done
what other housing they could offer
If you rent from the council, they should offer you another home if you have a secure or flexible tenancy.
If you rent from a housing association, they only have to offer you somewhere to live if your tenancy agreement or their policy says they should.
You could get removal expenses and compensation if you have to move. This kind of compensation is sometimes called home loss or disturbance payments.
Your council or housing association might try to evict you if you:
refuse to move to a different property because of damp and mould repairs
refuse to move back into your home after the repairs are done
Get legal advice if your landlord gives you a notice to leave.
If you want to move somewhere else because of damp and mould
You could get more priority:
on the council waiting list to get another home
Do not give up a council or housing association home to rent privately.
Private renters:
pay more rent
have less protection from eviction
find it even harder to get problems fixed
You can ask the council's homeless team for help if damp and mould in your home:
cause health problems
make your home dangerous
You do not have to move out to ask for homeless help.
Need more advice?
Last updated: 30 October 2024
