Bath’s honey-coloured Georgian terraces and Victorian villas are the envy of the country, but living in a period property comes with its own set of challenges. Damp and mould are among the most common complaints from tenants and landlords alike. The good news is that with a few consistent habits and some well-timed maintenance, you can keep your home dry, healthy and welcoming – no matter how old the walls are.

Why Older Bath Properties Struggle with Damp

Most period homes in Bath were built with solid stone or brick walls, no cavity, and no modern damp proof course. These buildings were designed to breathe. Moisture inside is meant to escape through the fabric of the walls and via open fires and draughty sash windows. When we seal them up with cement render, plastic paint or modern insulation, we trap that moisture inside. Add Bath’s notoriously damp climate – it rains a lot, and the city sits in a valley – and you have a recipe for condensation, which is the most common cause of mould in older homes. Rising damp and penetrating damp also occur, but condensation is the culprit in the vast majority of cases.

Know Your Enemy: Condensation, Rising Damp, or Penetrating Damp?

Before you panic or spend money, work out what you are dealing with. Condensation shows up as water droplets on windows, black spotty mould on cold external walls, and a musty smell. It thrives when warm, moist air meets a cold surface. Rising damp usually leaves a tide mark up to about a metre high, often with white salts on the plaster. It means groundwater is creeping up through the walls because the damp proof course has failed or was never there. Penetrating damp appears as damp patches that grow after heavy rain, often on ceilings or high up on walls, pointing to a leak in the roof, gutter or flashing. If you rent, report any of these to your landlord promptly. If you are a landlord, get a proper diagnosis – treating condensation with a damp proof course is a waste of money.

Daily Habits for Tenants to Keep Mould at Bay

You do not need to live in a draughty icebox. A few simple routines make a huge difference. Ventilate little and often. Open windows for 10–15 minutes twice a day, even in winter. This replaces moist air with dry air without losing too much heat. Keep trickle vents open if you have them, and never block air bricks. Use extractor fans every time you cook or shower, and leave them running for 10 minutes afterwards. If you do not have a fan, open a window. Dry laundry outdoors whenever possible. If you must dry inside, use a condenser tumble dryer or a dehumidifier – and never put wet clothes on radiators. Heat consistently. Aim for a background temperature of 15–18°C. Blasting the heating for an hour then letting the house go cold creates perfect condensation conditions. Wipe down windows and windowsills each morning, and keep furniture a few inches away from external walls so air can circulate. Finally, report leaks immediately – a dripping tap or overflowing gutter will only make things worse.

Landlord Maintenance That Makes a Difference

Landlords have a legal duty to keep properties free from serious hazards, including damp and mould. In Bath’s older housing stock, that means staying on top of the basics. Clear gutters and downpipes at least twice a year – blocked gutters are a leading cause of penetrating damp. Check roofs, flashings and pointing after storms. Ensure extractor fans work and are vented outside, not into the loft. Address rising damp with a specialist damp proof course if diagnosed, and use breathable materials like lime plaster for repairs. Improve ventilation where possible – trickle vents, positive input ventilation, or simply ensuring windows can be opened. Remember that Bath has many conservation areas and listed buildings, so you may need consent for alterations. Work with the local authority’s conservation officer early. Respond quickly to tenant reports of damp or mould. A small leak fixed today saves a major repair tomorrow.

Working Together in Bath’s Unique Properties

Preventing damp is a partnership. Tenants should report issues promptly and follow the daily habits above. Landlords should carry out regular inspections – every three to six months – and act on any problems. Communication is key. If you rent a listed property, you cannot simply install double glazing or a new extractor fan without permission. But there are workarounds: secondary glazing, draught-proofing, and dehumidifiers can all help. Use a hygrometer (a cheap device that measures humidity) to keep indoor levels between 40% and 60%. If you see mould, clean it with a suitable antifungal wash – but remember that cleaning without fixing the cause is a temporary fix. With a little effort from both sides, even the oldest Bath property can be a healthy, comfortable home.