Moisture-Safe Homes: Understanding and Managing Condensation, Damp, and Mould

Learn to prevent and manage condensation, damp, and mould

This three-week course provides a comprehensive overview of the theory, science and policy guidance relating to Condensation, Damp, and Mould (CDM).

Guided by world-leading researchers and industry experts from the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings at UCL, you’ll explore the risks associated with excess moisture, investigate the causes of CDM, and learn practical approaches to mitigating its impacts.

Understand risks associated with excess moisture

The course begins with an overview of the risks associated with CDM. You’ll explore the consequences of excess moisture for buildings and their occupants including impacts on building fabric, indoor air quality and wellbeing

Investigate the causes of CDM

This part of the course explores the underlying causes of CDM. You’ll examine moisture in the context of UK housing including how building design, construction types, and changes over time influence moisture behaviour.

You’ll learn how traditional and modern homes manage (or fail to manage) moisture, and how factors such as ventilation, heating, occupancy, and building defects contribute to CDM. This module equips you with the knowledge needed to identify sources of moisture, diagnose causes accurates and understand their implications for building performance and occupant health.

Learn what you can do to combat CDM and protect public health

By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped with practical approaches to address CDM. You’ll learn how assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and remediation work together to reduce moisture risks and protect both buildings and public health.

The course also highlights the importance of resident engagement and education, supporting you to take informed, proactive steps to prevent CDM and respond appropriately when it occurs.

This course is designed for both residents and professionals involved in housing and the built environment.

It is particularly relevant for officers working in UK local councils, housing associations, and HMOs, as well as private landlords and residents. The course will also be valuable for surveyors, consultants advising housing providers or government organisations, and building professionals such as architects and engineers.

This course is designed for both residents and professionals involved in housing and the built environment.

It is particularly relevant for officers working in UK local councils, housing associations, and HMOs, as well as private landlords and residents. The course will also be valuable for surveyors, consultants advising housing providers or government organisations, and building professionals such as architects and engineers.

• Explain the key concepts of condensation, damp, and mould (CDM) and recognise how building design, construction, and occupancy contribute to moisture problems in housing.
• Evaluate how moisture behaves within buildings, including how it moves, accumulates, and leads to different forms of damp, and identify the resulting impacts on building fabric and occupant health.
• Interpret indoor environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, and ventilation, and use tools such as the psychrometric chart to assess condensation risk.
• Assess the effectiveness of interventions, including ventilation, insulation, heating, and retrofit measures, and understand how these influence moisture balance and mould prevention.
• Describe the wider social, regulatory, and behavioural context, including the role of laws, standards, energy advice, and resident engagement in managing CDM risks.
• Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios, using case studies and practical examples to identify appropriate solutions for preventing and managing damp and mould in homes.