Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Does home insurance cover mould damage?
No, home insurance doesn't usually cover mould damage. Discover why there may be some rare exceptions to this rule. Also, get tips to prevent mould in the home.
{"menuItems":[{"label":"Does home insurance cover mould damage?","anchorName":"#does-home-insurance-cover-mould-damage"},{"label":"Why doesn\u2019t home insurance cover mould damage?","anchorName":"#why-doesn-t-home-insurance-cover-mould-damage"},{"label":"What to do if you\u2019re a tenant with mould issues","anchorName":"#what-to-do-if-you-re-a-tenant-with-mould-issues"},{"label":"When is a landlord responsible for mould?","anchorName":"#when-is-a-landlord-responsible-for-mould"},{"label":"What to do if you\u2019re a landlord with mould problems?","anchorName":"#what-to-do-if-you-re-a-landlord-with-mould-problems"},{"label":"Steps to prevent mould in the home","anchorName":"#steps-to-prevent-mould-in-the-home"},{"label":"Protect the rest of your home with the right policy","anchorName":"#protect-the-rest-of-your-home-with-the-right-policy"}]}
What you need to know
Most home insurance policies don't cover mould as it's considered to be preventable.
You may have grounds to claim if mould comes about as a direct result of an insured event.
An example could be if a natural disaster damages your roof which then leads to mould.
Does home insurance cover mould damage?
In most cases, no. You can safely assume that home insurance won’t cover any damage caused by mould or for mould removal or cleaning. Mould and fungus is typically found as a general exclusion in home insurance policies, and will not be covered in any way.
However, there are some exceptions. For example, Youi's home insurance PDS states: "We will not pay for death or bodily injury to any person, or loss or damage to property, caused directly or indirectly by[...]mould, rot, damp, or the effects of the climate or weather, unless as a direct result of an incident for which we have accepted a claim".
This doesn't mean that you will be covered, since you can generally still take measures to prevent mould from developing, but it does suggest you could be entitled to some cover.
Why doesn’t home insurance cover mould damage?
Home insurance won’t cover mould damage for two main reasons. Firstly, some mould growth is almost unavoidable, especially in more tropical areas of Australia. Secondly, it doesn't usually cause any damage if taken care of as quickly as possible.
So mould itself is unavoidable, while mould damage is preventable. Neither of those situations is intended to be covered by home insurance.
What to do if you’re a tenant with mould issues
You’ll want to fix it as soon as possible. Depending on the surface, the extent of the problem and the type of mould, this might be as easy as simply wiping it away with a cloth, or it might need professional cleaning services.
In all cases, you’ll want to make sure you follow the preventative steps going forwards. Without doing so, it’s probably just going to come back again quickly.
The cost of a mould removal service depends on the extent of the problem, the type of mould and the location. A quote might range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
For example, you might be able to clean it away yourself for free, and then open a window. Or you might be paying thousands of dollars for actual home renovations in order to eliminate a source of rising damp. If this is the case, you need to involve the landlord.
When is a landlord responsible for mould?
Whether the landlord or the tenant is responsible for mould depends on the situation.
Generally, the landlord will only be responsible if the mould is there because of the landlord’s failure to fulfill their obligations.
This might be:
A failure to clean the property before renting it out to a new tenant
A failure to fix a shower leak, which has led to mould growth
A failure to repair a leaking ceiling, which has led to mould growth
Ongoing problems with the building itself, such as rising damp
Meanwhile, the tenant might be responsible when the mould is caused by:
A failure to inform the landlord of problems with the property. For example, if the tenant knows there’s a leaky pipe beneath the sink but doesn’t tell anyone.
A failure to take reasonable steps to prevent mould growth, such as airing out a room or opening the windows to clear out moisture faster
So, who’s responsible for mould?
Both the tenant and the landlord have certain obligations under a rental contract. If the growth of the mould, and subsequent damage, can be clear tied to the failure of one party to meet their obligations then that’s probably the party that’s responsible for it.
What to do if you’re a landlord with mould problems?
If you’ve found that a tenant’s property has damage from mould, you may want to:
Determine the cause.
Assess the extent of the damage and take steps to minimise and fix it where possible.
If extensive mould damage was caused by a failure on the part of the tenants, then it’s safe to say they probably won’t be getting their bond back.
If you’re a landlord and find that the damage is extensive, you might take legal action to have the tenant cover that damage.
Note that your own obligations as landlords will probably also come under the magnifying glass when you do, and the final verdict will come down to the court’s decision.
Steps to prevent mould in the home
The factors that contribute to mould growth are:
Moisture. This is the number one risk factor. Leaks, soggy clothes lying around, rising damp or humid weather can all lead to moisture in the home.
A lack of airflow. Enclosed spaces with a lack of airflow are more prone to mould growth.
Darkness. Sunlight can help prevent mould growth. Similarly, enclosed spaces such as cupboards are also typically dark spaces. A soggy cloth in a drawer, for example, will almost certainly grow mould quickly.
Heat. More species of mould thrive in warmer conditions than colder ones.
Moisture is the number one consideration, because mould will typically not grow without it. But sometimes it might be impossible to prevent, in which case you need to pay closer attention to the other risk factors listed above.
This problem is not going away. It isn't just a one-off storm or a summer storm. We are expecting to see a much wetter winter than usual.
Gerard Murtagh - MouldMen
Protect the rest of your home with the right policy
Why you can trust Finder's home insurance experts
We're free
You pay the same as buying directly from the home insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site – plus, our tables make it easy to compare policies.
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and we work with lots of home insurance brands, making it easier for you to find a good deal.
We're here to help
Since 2014, we've helped 150,000+ people find home insurance by explaining your cover options simply and clearly. We'll never ask for your number or email. We're here to help you make a decision.
{"menuItems":[{"label":"Does home insurance cover mould damage?","anchorName":"#does-home-insurance-cover-mould-damage"},{"label":"Why doesn\u2019t home insurance cover mould damage?","anchorName":"#why-doesn-t-home-insurance-cover-mould-damage"},{"label":"What to do if you\u2019re a tenant with mould issues","anchorName":"#what-to-do-if-you-re-a-tenant-with-mould-issues"},{"label":"When is a landlord responsible for mould?","anchorName":"#when-is-a-landlord-responsible-for-mould"},{"label":"What to do if you\u2019re a landlord with mould problems?","anchorName":"#what-to-do-if-you-re-a-landlord-with-mould-problems"},{"label":"Steps to prevent mould in the home","anchorName":"#steps-to-prevent-mould-in-the-home"},{"label":"Protect the rest of your home with the right policy","anchorName":"#protect-the-rest-of-your-home-with-the-right-policy"}]}
{"menuItems":[{"label":"Does home insurance cover mould damage?","anchorName":"#does-home-insurance-cover-mould-damage"},{"label":"Why doesn\u2019t home insurance cover mould damage?","anchorName":"#why-doesn-t-home-insurance-cover-mould-damage"},{"label":"What to do if you\u2019re a tenant with mould issues","anchorName":"#what-to-do-if-you-re-a-tenant-with-mould-issues"},{"label":"When is a landlord responsible for mould?","anchorName":"#when-is-a-landlord-responsible-for-mould"},{"label":"What to do if you\u2019re a landlord with mould problems?","anchorName":"#what-to-do-if-you-re-a-landlord-with-mould-problems"},{"label":"Steps to prevent mould in the home","anchorName":"#steps-to-prevent-mould-in-the-home"},{"label":"Protect the rest of your home with the right policy","anchorName":"#protect-the-rest-of-your-home-with-the-right-policy"}]}
Millions of Aussies are being forced to pay more for their home and contents insurance, according to new research by Finder.
{"menuItems":[{"label":"Does home insurance cover mould damage?","anchorName":"#does-home-insurance-cover-mould-damage"},{"label":"Why doesn\u2019t home insurance cover mould damage?","anchorName":"#why-doesn-t-home-insurance-cover-mould-damage"},{"label":"What to do if you\u2019re a tenant with mould issues","anchorName":"#what-to-do-if-you-re-a-tenant-with-mould-issues"},{"label":"When is a landlord responsible for mould?","anchorName":"#when-is-a-landlord-responsible-for-mould"},{"label":"What to do if you\u2019re a landlord with mould problems?","anchorName":"#what-to-do-if-you-re-a-landlord-with-mould-problems"},{"label":"Steps to prevent mould in the home","anchorName":"#steps-to-prevent-mould-in-the-home"},{"label":"Protect the rest of your home with the right policy","anchorName":"#protect-the-rest-of-your-home-with-the-right-policy"}]}
Find out the winners of Finder's first-ever home insurance awards.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, news.com.au, The Telegraph, Explore Travel and Escape. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Kaplan Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.