Temporary rehousing if damp and mould is serious
Serious damp and mould can make you ill.
Your council or housing association must make your home safe within:
24 hours if it is an emergency hazard
5 working days if it is a significant hazard, from when they finish investigating
Social landlords must offer you somewhere else to stay if they cannot make your home safe in these timescales.
More on damp and mould that is a hazard.
Free temporary rehousing
Your council or housing association must offer rehousing that is:
free
suitable for you and people who live with you
People who live with you include children who stay overnight at least once a week.
Temporary rehousing can be a flat, a house or a room in a hotel or a B&B. It does not have to be the same as your usual home.
You can stay in temporary housing until your home is safe.
Temporary rehousing - example
Jorg lives with his wife and his younger son. His older son is 14 and stays with them every weekend and one night during the week.
There is very serious damp and mould in Jorg's flat.
It's a significant hazard and should be fixed in 5 working days.
The housing association says that they need more time to make Jorg's home safe.
They offer Jorg another flat that is:
free of charge
big enough so that there's space for Jorg, his wife and both sons
The landlord also covers the cost of moving.
Jorg and his family can stay in the temporary flat until their home is safe to return to.
Ask your landlord about moving
Ask your landlord for a copy of their policy on damp and mould.
Your landlord's policy should tell you:
how soon you could move back in
what type of property they should offer you
what help they can give you with the cost of moving
You can ask your landlord for more information about the property they want you to move into.
[Use the subject: Request for information about the property you've offered]
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 so serious damp and mould in my home can 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?
What help can you offer with the cost of moving?
What should I 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:
repairs policy
damp and mould policy
decant or temporary rehousing policy
I look forward to hearing from you.
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 12kb)
Ask your landlord who to contact if you're not sure where to send it to.
If the property is unsuitable
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 small for your family
Keep evidence of your landlord's response.
[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]
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:
repairs policy
damp and mould policy
decant or temporary rehousing policy
I look forward to hearing from you.
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 12kb)
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 you do not want to move
You can choose to stay in your home while it is made safe.
Your council or housing association must tell you in writing how to reduce the risk of harm to your health if you stay.
You could also choose to move out and stay with family or friends while the work is done.
Your landlord might offer compensation or inconvenience payments. Ask them about this or check their policy.
They can ask you to sign a document to say you do not want temporary rehousing.
Get advice before you refuse
Your landlord does not have to offer you temporary rehousing again if you change your mind later on.
If the problem is very serious, your landlord might ask you to move out permanently.
Need more advice?
Last updated: 27 October 2025
