A local council has warned residents to be vigilant against damp and mould in their homes heading into the winter months.

Buckinghamshire Council has urged residents looking to cut costs this winter to consider how their efforts to limit their use of central heating might cause the growth of damp and mould in their homes.

Mark Winn, Cabinet Member for Homelessness and Regulatory Service, said he understood that people in Bucks would be “wanting to keep their bills down” by regulating their use of heating, but warned that “a cold and poorly ventilated home” could soon become the site of damp and mould – putting residents at risk of serious health issues including respiratory infections, allergies and asthma.

Mr Winn said the council was committed to encouraging landlords, property owners and residents to address damp and mould issues, especially in the wake of the death of two-year-old Awwab Ishak, who died in December 2020 from a respiratory infection caused by “extensive” mould in a flat in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

READ MORE: Tom Kerridge warns that weekly pub visits are 'not enough' to save them amid crisis

He added that among the measures recommended by the council to lessen condensation – one of the leading causes of damp in houses – was to cover pans when cooking, open windows for short periods of time, insulate homes and run the heating at a constant low background level.

“We understand that some residents might have difficulty or be concerned about paying for their energy. If this is the case, there is help available. Your energy company may have particular schemes to help you and advice can be found on the Buckinghamshire Council website.

“If you live in rented accommodation, including either private rented or housing association, and you believe your property is affected by damp which you are unable to manage through our tips to manage excess moisture, please contact your landlord and ask them to investigate.

“If you don’t get a timely or satisfactory response, our Environmental Health team can inspect your property to ensure your landlord is taking the matter seriously and has a plan to take action.”