Why does condensation and mould happen?
In a student house, lots of day-to-day activities create moisture: cooking, showering, drying clothes and even breathing. Each person can add around 2 litres of water into the air every day.
When warm, moist air hits a cold surface – like windows, external walls or behind furniture – it turns into water droplets. This is condensation. If that moisture isn’t dealt with, it can lead to mould, which isn’t good for your health or the property.
This guide explains what you can do to reduce condensation and mould in your Cheltenham student house.
Everyday habits that really help
1. Drying clothes
- Dry clothes outside where possible.
- If you have a tumble dryer, use it according to the instructions.
- If you must dry clothes indoors, use an airer in a well-ventilated room with the window slightly open and the door closed.
- Avoid drying clothes on radiators – it creates a lot of moisture in a small space.
2. Ventilation (letting moist air escape)
- Use trickle vents on your windows and keep them open to improve airflow.
- If your windows have a “vent” or “night latch” position, use it when safe to do so.
- Don’t block air bricks or vents with furniture or belongings.
- Open windows for 5–10 minutes after cooking or showering to let steam out.
3. Extraction fans
- Bathroom extractor fan – turn it on before you shower and leave it running for at least 15 minutes afterwards.
- Kitchen extractor fan – use it whenever you cook, especially when boiling or frying.
- Keep the bathroom and kitchen doors closed while using them so moisture doesn’t spread to the rest of the house.
If an extractor fan is noisy, broken, or not working properly, let your landlord or agent know so it can be checked.
4. Heating and room temperature
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a room temperature of around 18°C in winter for healthy adults.
- Try to keep your heating at a low, steady level, rather than turning it off completely and then blasting it.
- Very cold rooms are more likely to develop condensation and mould.
- If your rent includes bills with a fair usage cap, read our guide:
[What “Bills Included” Really Means in a Student House].
5. Furniture placement and airflow
- Leave a small gap between furniture and external walls so air can circulate.
- Avoid pushing wardrobes or beds tight against cold outside walls.
- Keep the tops of radiators and heaters clear so warm air can move around the room.
Dealing with condensation when you see it
Small amounts of condensation are normal, especially in winter. The key is dealing with it quickly:
- Wipe condensation from windows, sills and tiles with a cloth or squeegee each morning.
- Wring the cloth out into the sink.
- If you notice small patches of mould, clean them with a suitable mould and mildew remover, following the instructions on the label and ventilating the room.
When to contact your landlord or agent
Tell your landlord/agent if you notice any of the following:
- Mould patches bigger than an A4 sheet of paper.
- Mould coming back quickly after cleaning.
- A persistent damp or musty smell you can’t get rid of.
- Leaking pipes, gutters, roof leaks or water coming through walls or ceilings.
- Broken extractor fans or windows that don’t open properly.
Your landlord is responsible for dealing with structural issues and repairs, but you’re expected to follow reasonable steps to ventilate and heat the property.
