Mould

Mould is a fungus that grows indoors where there is too much moisture. It can make asthma, allergies, or other health problems worse.

Mould can grow in damp, warm, or in rooms that have poor ventilation. It is often caused by:

• External leaks or flooding
• Excess condensation on walls and windows
• Reduced airflow inside the home

How Mould Can Affect Your Health

Mould releases tiny spores that can be breathed in. Health effects vary from person to person:

• Some people experience no symptoms.
• Others may develop:
  
  • Runny or blocked nose
  • Skin or eye irritation
  • Wheezing
  • Asthma attacks
• In very rare cases, severe mould infections may occur, usually in the lungs.

Seek medical advice if you develop health problems after being exposed to mould. For life-threatening symptoms, call 000.

Preventing Mould

Reduce dampness and improve ventilation to stop mould from growing:

• Ventilate your home
  
  • Open windows when weather permits and use exhaust fans during showering, cooking, and laundry.
• Control humidity
  
  • Limit the use of humidifiers and avoid gas heaters.
• Fix leaks promptly
  
  • Repair water leaks, plumbing issues, and other sources of moisture.
• Manage water damage
  
  • Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets and materials
  • Discard items that cannot be completely cleaned and dried.

Tips on Preventing Mould

When you are drying clothes…
Try: Drying clothes outside when you can. If you must dry them inside, place near an opening that allows air to continually circulate

If steam builds up in your bathroom or kitchen…
Try: Switching on the exhaust fan during and after showers or cooking. Open a window or door to let steam escape.

If you are heating your home with gas heaters…
Try: Using electric heating instead and always keep rooms well ventilated.

If condensation forms on windows or walls…
Try: Wiping it away daily. Increase ventilation by opening windows, using fans, or adding window vents.

If your home has poor airflow or blocked vents…
Try: Leaving internal doors open to improve circulation.

If you notice leaks from the roof, pipes, or taps…
Report or repair them straight away to stop dampness from spreading.

If your home has been flooded or water damaged…
Remove wet carpets and furniture quickly. Dry and clean all surfaces within 48 hours to prevent mould.

Reducing Mould

• Open windows and doors when possible to let fresh air in
• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens
• Wipe away condensation from walls and windows
• Heat your home evenly in winter to avoid damp cold rooms
• Fix or report leaks as soon as you notice them
• For information on how to clean mould in the home, refer to the Got Mould? poster.
• For more information, see NSW Health Mould website

Mould Advice

See your doctor if you or your family experience:

• Ongoing coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
• Worsening asthma or allergies
• Other health problems you think may be linked to mould

Need to Report Mould?

If you are renting and have taken steps to keep your home ventilated, you may raise the issue with your landlord or real estate agent.

Private rentals: Contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20 for information about tenant rights and responsibilities.

Tenants of Homes NSW, call Homes NSW on 1800 422 322.