Winchester Damp and Mould: Sash Windows, Draughts and Georgian Rentals

Winchester's rental stock is dominated by a well-preserved Georgian and medieval core, protected by its cathedral-city status and conservation areas. About 9,100 homes in the district rent privately, or 17.6% of households against 20.5% in England. The district-level numbers are favourable across the board, so the question for landlords is less about where the risk is and more about how to deal with it in old buildings.

Winchester in numbers

• Private rented households: 17.6% (England 20.5%); social rented: 15.3% (England 17.1%)
• Terraced homes: 20.1% (England 23.0%); flats: 16.0% (England 21.4%)
• Homes with no central heating: 0.9% (England 1.5%)
• Overcrowded households: 1.6% (England 4.4%)
• River or sea flood risk: 0.9% (England 1.9%); surface-water risk: 3.0% (England 5.9%)
• Rainfall: about 754 mm a year at Martyr Worthy, roughly three miles away

The sash-window dilemma

Georgian townhouses typically have timber sash windows that leak air. Tenants and landlords who want to cut heating bills often draught-proof them, and in a home with no other ventilation that can raise indoor humidity and push condensation onto walls and window reveals. The answer is not to leave windows leaky but to pair any draught-proofing with deliberate ventilation: working extraction in kitchens and bathrooms and, where needed, discreet background ventilation.

Heritage rules limit remediation, not responsibility

Heritage constraints limit remediation options in the historic core, because works to listed buildings and some work in conservation areas can need consent. They do not reduce the duty to provide a home free from serious damp. Before any repair on an older building, landlords should find out what permissions are required and use contractors who understand traditional materials.

A seasonal inspection routine

With low overcrowding and flood risk, most Winchester damp problems should be preventable by routine care. A simple annual plan works well:

1. Before winter: clear gutters, check roof coverings and flashings, and test extractor fans.
2. At each inspection: look for staining on external walls, behind furniture and around window reveals.
3. After heavy rain: check for leaks and overflowing gutters at the first opportunity.
4. Keep dated notes and photographs of every check.

What landlords must do

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires a rented home to be fit to live in, and the council can assess damp and mould under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

Awaab's Law currently applies to social housing, with private landlords expected to follow. Our guide to Awaab's Law and the private rented sector explains the current position.

To find a specialist, see our Winchester damp and mould page.