Independent, evidence-based damp and mould investigations for landlords, housing providers, and property owners, helping you protect occupants, meet compliance obligations, and make informed decisions.
Persistent damp and mould are not just cosmetic issues. They are a serious risk to occupant health and a growing area of legal exposure for landlords and housing providers. HFS Environmental provides independent damp and mould investigations that go beyond surface readings, identifying root causes and providing clear, actionable remediation guidance.
Persistent damp and mould can cause respiratory illness and long-term structural damage. For social landlords and housing providers, failure to address damp and mould carries significant legal risk under Awaab's Law and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Our impartial reports help demonstrate due diligence and support compliance with social housing standards.
A mould spore test reveals what’s present. All moulds are bad, and they fall into three categories: allergenic, pathogenic, and toxic. The mycotoxins created by toxic moulds are poisonous chemicals that are dangerous to humans. Unlike allergenic and pathogenic versions they’re built to cause harm, rather than harm being a side-effect. No wonder some of the planet’s most dangerous toxins come from moulds, found on the mould itself and the spores. Breathe in or consume the wrong one and it can lead to long term serious illness.
Most of the moulds we’ve mentioned above make their own mycotoxins, toxic by-products that affect humans. They can lead to wheezing, chest tightness, breathing difficulties, a blocked nose and irritated eyes. Immuno-suppressed people can also suffer more than average, as can those recovering from surgery. People can experience congested lungs, a bad cough, aggravated asthma, exhaustion, headaches, and problems concentrating.
The presence of mould doesn’t necessarily mean people will suffer from health problems. But some of us are, which means inhaling the mould, breathing in bits of it, or inhaling the mould’s spores can make some heath conditions worse. Moulds can also make the symptoms of allergies a lot harder to handle. They can even lead to new health problems. Everyone in your building deserves clean air, and there’s legislation to bear in mind around exactly what ‘clean’ means in an indoor air context.
