How to document damp and mould clearly and safely

Report urgent risk before building a perfect evidence pack

Damp and mould can affect health, and the cause may involve leaks, ventilation, insulation, heating, or another building defect. Report the condition promptly and ask the landlord to identify and address the underlying cause rather than relying only on surface cleaning.

Do not enter a dangerous area, disturb damaged materials, touch wet electrical fittings, or delay an emergency report to take photographs.

Sources: GOV.UK; GOV.UK

Use a three-part photograph sequence

Keep the original files. Do not edit the original image to add dates, arrows, or text; make a separate annotated copy if one is useful.

1. 1

   Room context

   Take a wide photograph showing where the problem sits in the room, such as the window, ceiling, outside wall, pipework, or furniture position.

2. 2

   Affected area

   Take a mid-range photograph showing the shape and spread of staining, mould, peeling finishes, water damage, or condensation.

3. 3

   Close detail

   Take a clear close-up without unsafe contact. Use a familiar object for scale only when it can be placed safely and does not cover the defect.

Sources: Citizens Advice; Housing Ombudsman

Show progression without taking hundreds of duplicates

• Repeat photographs from approximately the same safe position.
• Record the capture date and affected room in a simple index.
• Take a new set after heavy rain, a leak, an inspection, cleaning, or repair when relevant.
• Record whether the condition reduced, returned, spread, or moved after work.
• Keep repair reports and photographs together by date.

Add records that explain what the images cannot

Store medical information securely and share it only when necessary through an appropriate channel. The public tools on this site do not ask for detailed medical information.

• Repair reports, complaint references, emails, messages, and letters
• Inspection and contractor attendance records
• Access offered, appointments changed, and missed visits
• A room impact diary describing limits on normal use
• Receipts for damaged belongings or practical costs where relevant

Sources: Citizens Advice; Housing Ombudsman

Print this checklist before you inspect or send evidence

Use your browser's print command to keep this checklist beside you. You do not need to complete every item before reporting a problem, especially where there is an urgent safety concern.

• Wide view: show the whole room and where the affected area sits.
• Mid-range view: show the shape, spread, and surrounding surface.
• Close view: show detail without touching mould, unsafe materials, or wet electrics.
• Can another person identify the room and location of the defect?
• Are the current images in focus and well lit without hiding the condition?
• Does the timeline show when the landlord was notified?
• Are temporary fixes and unresolved root causes described separately?
• Have you kept the originals and shared only through a channel you trust?

Sources: Citizens Advice; Housing Ombudsman