Property Preservation for Private Landlords

Since 1951 we have established sound working relationships across the country with private landlords, homeowners, estate agents, valuation surveyors, building surveyors, architects and mortgage lenders.

Managing a property portfolio can be difficult, with significant challenges and financial pressures. At Peter Cox, we specialise in property preservation for private housing, helping private landlords protect their investments while ensuring comfortable, safe homes for tenants.

Our surveyors and technicians have vast experience working with owners, occupants and property managers to deliver a high standard of service, no matter where you are in the United Kingdom. To support our clients who work in the private housing sector, we have put together a guide on how to identify issues related to damp and mould, and many other property preservation problems that houses in the UK may face.

Many homeowners who contact us directly do so following a recommendation from a professional adviser. Frequently we are called in to give specialist advice on problems of dampness, timber decay or structural issues, after pre-purchase surveys have indicated problems with the property.

We are also able to provide current homeowners assistance with property preservation. From identifying the root cause of damp to navigating building regulations and managing costs, we are here to help.

The first course of action is a thorough and detailed damp and timber survey carried out by a competent and qualified professional. Peter Cox have a number of CSRT / CSTDB qualified surveyors local to you and working out of our network of branches across the country, who can provide advice and solutions for issues identified.

Private landlords and accommodation providers require a comprehensive understanding of problems and legislation that affects tenants, and with new regulations such as Awaab’s Law and the Renters’ Right Act setting stricter standards for social and private rentals, understanding how to manage damp and mould has never been more important.

Condensation is often the root cause of mould growth in properties across the UK. Condensation occurs when warm, moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces like a wall, window or mirror and condenses into a liquid state. It is particularly common in solid wall properties, where there is no cavity to provide a cold break. With poor ventilation, condensation can lead to black mould which thrives in poorly ventilated environments. 

Condensation can often be controlled if occupants understand what is causing excessive moisture in the atmosphere. Landlords can play a key role by helping tenants understand how their daily habits affect these increased humidity levels.

During property visits, landlords should assess whether active steps can be taken to reduce moisture production and ensure adequate heating and ventilation, while also conducting regular checks for any signs of issues. If left unaddressed, condensation can create the perfect conditions for mould growth. Mould thrives in areas of persistent moisture and reduced ventilation, such as behind furniture, in corners, behind long curtains or on cold external walls, and can appear as black, green or grey patches.

Beyond damaging décor, mould can release spores that can aggravate asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions – making prevention and early intervention essential. When mould is visible, it should be cleaned promptly and safely. However, cleaning alone will not resolve the problem if the underlying moisture remains.

The cause of the issue, whether that be poor ventilation, tenant education, or building defects must be addressed to prevent recurrence. Supporting tenants to understand this balance between cleanliness, ventilation, and maintenance is one of the most effective ways to protect both the property and its occupants. We have put together useful guidance for tenants and landlords which helps understanding of these issues and the solutions available to control condensation.

If you are unsure about the best course of action to help increase ventilation, improve the thermal efficiency of the property, or how to prevent mould growth, a Peter Cox surveyor can provide advice and specialist solutions.

The forthcoming extension of Awaab’s Law to the Private Rental Sector (PRS), as part of the broader rental reforms under the Renters' Rights Act, mean all landlords need to get systems in place now to ‘hit the ground running’ when it applies to their sector.

Awaab’s Law came into effect on 27th October 2025, setting clear timeframes for social landlords in England to initially address serious issues such as damp and mould, while reaffirming tenants’ rights to escalate non-compliance directly to the Housing Ombudsman.

These timeframes will be extended to the private rental sector, including to student accommodation, once the Ombudsman and regulatory framework are put in place in 2026. This means that all landlords, social, private or the agents acting on their behalf, will have to ensure that damp and mould problems are addressed within strict time frames.

Awaab’s Law and the Renters’ Rights Act build upon the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS): guidance for landlords and property-related professionals that has provided guidance for landlords and property-related professionals for decades. This states that all dwellings should be free of hazards, and that by tackling these hazards it will make housing healthier and safer to live in.

The act will set up a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman that will offer “swift, binding resolutions to tenants’ complaints” from 2026. Damp and mould growth were identified as ‘Hazard Group A,’ with this category covering threats to health associated with increased prevalence of house dust mites and mould or fungal growths resulting from dampness and high humidity. The remaining 28 hazards under the HHSRS will slowly be brought under Awaab’s Law in 2026 and 2027.

In practice, this means damp and mould must not be treated as minor maintenance issues, but as potential health hazards requiring prompt, documented action. For the most severe cases, usually where residents’ health is at risk, immediate remediation or temporary re-housing will be required.

For landlords, this is an opportunity to take a proactive stance. Conduct regular property checks, maintain clear communication channels with tenants, and record remedial work.

Peter Cox’s experience across both public and private sectors shows that early intervention and clear protocols surrounding the protection of tenant wellbeing is key to compliance. Taking a proactive approach to damp and condensation is essential during the colder. months of October to April when properties tend to be less well ventilated. Regular inspections, timely maintenance, and open communication with tenants not only protect a property’s structure but also its occupants’ wellbeing. By prioritising prevention over repair, landlords can create safer, healthier homes and demonstrate real duty of care to their residents.

Damp and mould are massive problems for housing stock in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that anywhere between 962,000 to 6.5 million households are affected by these issues. People living in private or social rented housing are more likely to live in a home with damp and mould than in owner occupied properties.

Government Guidance on the health risks of damp and mould in the home (2023) states that “private and social landlords must adhere to a number of regulations related to damp and mould. A lack of compliance can place a landlord at risk of prosecution or financial penalties.”

This means that landlords must tackle the underlying issues causing damp and mould, while using qualified professionals when appropriate. This includes dealing with problems such as  building deficiencies, inadequate ventilation and condensation. Peter Cox are here to support private landlords and the private rented sector to provide adequate living conditions for tenants, and can assist thorough advice and recommendations for damp, condensation and other property preservation problems.

Peter Cox can provide expert damp surveys, used to identify and accurately diagnose the problem, and provide long term solutions. A thorough survey is essential for damp problems, as they are often more complex than meets the eye, and can sometimes be misdiagnosed.

Our surveys are carried out by CSRT / CSTDB qualified surveyors, who will detail their findings in a survey report, which will be provided to you after the survey has been carried out. This will list all the findings along with recommendations for remedial treatments, where necessary.

Often the damp problem is caused by the lack of a damp proof course, or from building defects caused by a lack of maintenance. Peter Cox can provide damp proofing solutions for any issues relating to rising damp, or for penetrating damp.

Condensation is the most common type of damp that affects the private rental market, which can lead to damp walls and mould growth. Peter Cox can provide advice and solutions for condensation, and where required specialist mould cleans.

Wet rot and dry rot are common problems that are associated with damp. While both wet rot and dry rot behave differently, they both require a source of moisture for spores to germinate. It is important to remove the source of moisture that is feeding the fungal decay outbreak before carrying out timber repairs.

Many rented properties feature original timber beams, floors, or roofing timbers that can be vulnerable to woodworm attacks. If left, woodworm can cause severe damage which may require removing and replacing heavily damaged timbers which are no longer structurally sound.

Regardless of the treatments carried out, Peter Cox employees will prioritise the well-being of tenants, while providing long term remedial solutions.

Our tenant-focused approach prioritises:

• Clear communication during the survey process, and before and during works
• Respectful treatment of tenants’ homes
• Minimised disruption to daily life

Our technicians are equipped with vacuums, floor coverings and dust sheets to protect homes and to keep dust and debris to a minimum. We also provide our technicians with Hilti dust extraction units which help remove airborne dust from the atmosphere around our work and will reduce the amount of dust settling.

This commitment helps private landlords and those in the private rental sector maintain positive tenant relationships while essential works are carried out.

We have CSRT and CSTDB qualified surveyors located across the country, working from our network of local branches. Their survey report will detail any issues found and recommendations for further treatments, but only when required.

Peter Cox have been assisting landlords and those in the private rental sector for decades, giving clients the peace of mind that comes with working with the market leaders in property preservation. Over 500,000 long term guarantees, of up to 20 years for some of our services, have been issued since the company was founded in 1951.

Peter Cox are a member of the British Structural Waterproofing Association and are CHAS, Constructionline and Alcumus (Safecontractor) approved.

Our operations are governed by a third-party accredited ISO 9001 Quality Management System, providing you with the assurance that your project will be completed on time, within budget, and to the highest possible standards.

We are a Which? Trusted Trader member and are rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 2,500 independent reviews from our customers.