Fact sheet: Damp, condensation and mould in residential property

The UK Government has announced a significant change in fire safety oversight, transferring responsibility from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) effective from 1 April 2025. The move responds to a recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report and puts responsibility for building safety and fire under a single Secretary of State, enabling a more joined-up approach.

The buyers of a £32.5 million mansion sued the seller after he failed to give honest information about the state of the property in pre-sale enquiries, particularly, a serious moth infestation. As a result, the court ordered the sale to be reversed, with the buyers receiving a refund of the purchase price plus £4m in damages, including compensation for ruined items.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in Scotland are to be revised and updated to give consumers a clearer picture of their home’s energy performance and link better with the drive to cut emissions from buildings. The proposed changes include a new rating system with clearer information on the fabric energy efficiency of a property, the emissions, efficiency and running costs of its heating system, and the cost of energy to run the home.