Seeing Damp Before It Appears

How better data, better surveys and smarter analysis can shift damp and mould from crisis response to prevention. 

In this episode of Making Housing Better, Jenny Danson, CEO and Co-founder of Healthy Homes Hub, is joined by Professor David Glew, Director of Leeds Sustainability Institute, and Dr Adam Hardy, Research Fellow at Leeds Beckett University, to unpack what is really happening with damp and mould in UK homes. 

The conversation cuts through assumption and focuses on evidence. 

They explore why damp and mould surveys vary so widely in quality, often relying on individual judgement rather than consistent methods, and why that creates real risk for landlords and residents alike. Drawing on PhD research with Places for People, Adam explains how existing housing data, including EPCs and repair records, can be used with machine learning to predict damp risk before it becomes visible, without relying solely on sensors. 

David challenges the idea that technology alone is the answer. Sensors can be powerful, but only when paired with good placement, context and a clear data strategy. The episode also dives into pioneering research measuring airborne mould spores, revealing risks that are often invisible but deeply linked to health. 

The takeaway is clear. Healthier homes start with better data, shared standards and practical action, not quick fixes or box ticking. 

Practical steps for housing providers 

• Review damp and mould survey approaches and align them to a consistent, practical standard. 

• Get existing data organised before investing in new technology. 

• Treat sensors as part of a wider toolkit, not a solution on their own. 

• Build damp and mould checks into everyday home visits, not just specialist inspections. 

• Focus on prevention, using data to act early rather than firefighting later.