Research studies have shown consistent health risks linking indoor mould and damp to respiratory or allergic health problems. This cold, silent fungus develops over a period of time, expelling its invisible toxic spores into the air, taking many by surprise until the inhabitants begin to feel its effects.

According to the Governments Department for Communities English House Survey 2011-2012,1 million homes in the UK have some problems with damp. The most common problem was condensation and mould, affecting 620,000 homes, followed by 393,000 homes affected by penetrating damp and 359,000 by rising damp.

Landlord's responsibility
Under the 1990 Environmental Protection Act, it is the landlords' responsibility to ensure that the environmental condition of a property is not injurious to health. Mould is considered injurious to health and has been known to create diseases that kill. In recent years there have been many criminal prosecutions where claimants have been awarded compensation. One recent prosecution that featured in the 'London Evening Standard' included Lambeth Council, which was fined by Camberwell Green Magistrates court more than £1,300 after admitting breaching the Environmental Protection Act. They were also ordered to pay the tenant £500 compensation and undertake full repair to the property; highlighting the fact that damp and mould is not only damaging to health, but also to a landlords pocket.