News
Damp and mould remain important issues for social housing. They can affect the comfort of a home, damage belongings and, in more serious cases, impact health — particularly for children, older people and those with existing health conditions. Early identification and action make a real difference.
Understanding damp and mould
Damp and mould can arise from a range of causes, including condensation, poor ventilation, leaks, or issues with the building fabric. Condensation is often the most common cause in modern, well-insulated homes. It typically appears on colder surfaces such as windows, external walls and in bathrooms or kitchens.
While tenants can take practical steps to reduce condensation (for example, by ventilating rooms, using extractor fans, and heating homes adequately), it is also important that any underlying issues are properly investigated.
What to do if you notice damp or mould
If you are an Ark Housing tenant and you notice signs of damp, mould or persistent condensation, please report it to us as soon as possible. Early reporting allows us to investigate the cause and take appropriate action.
You can report a repair or concern by:
- Using the Tenant Portal (‘My Home’)
- Calling our Head Office on 028 9075 2310 and asking for the Maintenance Team
- Emailing repairs@arkhousing.co.uk
- Contacting your Scheme Supervisor
Please provide as much detail as you can, including where the issue is, how long it has been present, and any photos if possible. If the issue is severe, spreading quickly, linked to an active leak, or you have concerns about someone’s health, please contact us by phone.
Working together
Ark Housing is committed to providing safe, healthy homes. We have developed and continue to review our approach to damp, mould and condensation, and we were pleased to work with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) on the development of the sector-wide good practice guide, Maintaining Healthy Homes: A Guide to Preventing and Resolving Damp and Mould.
This guide promotes a collaborative approach between housing providers and tenants, early identification, and practical solutions that consider the property, heating, ventilation and how the home is used. You can access the guide here.
During Damp and Mould Action and Awareness Week, we encourage all tenants to:
- Be aware of the signs of damp and mould
- Report any concerns promptly
- Make use of available advice on ventilation and heating
- Contact us if you need support or have questions
Together, we can help ensure that homes remain dry, safe and healthy places to live.
For further advice or to report an issue, please get in touch with the Maintenance Team or contact our Customer Solutions Team on 02890 752310.