CHANGING WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS HAZARDS OF DAMP AND MOULD

As the weather gets colder and windows are closed to keep the heat in, and as soaring energy prices mean many tenants are delaying the moment when they turn on the central heating, conditions are ripe for condensation to form, causing damp and encouraging the growth of mould.

There is no getting away from the fact that damp homes, in which mould is present, is a potential health hazard for everyone and especially those who have any kind of respiratory condition such as asthma.

Countering this hazard needs a collaborative approach between landlords and tenants, because the causes can range from structural issues with the property to the way the householder is living their lives. 

Landlords have a responsibility to see that their property is maintained in a good state of repair to counter potential damp problems.  This means sorting out leaking guttering, pipework, blocked downpipes, deficient or non-existent damp proof courses, high ground levels and anything else which could lead to damp issues. Landlords also need to make sure their properties are well insulated, and that any recommended EPC improvements are carried out.

But even in the best-maintained home, damp and mould can still be a problem, and this is where constructive advice to your tenant comes in.  Ventilation is the key: leaving windows closed when taking a shower, or cooking, or drying clothes, is a sure-fire way to create condensation, the precursor to mould issues.

In the current economic climate, many people are delaying switching on the heating, and eschewing the tumble dryer in favour of letting clothes dry naturally.  Condensation needs two things – cold surfaces and water vapour – so sources of dampness in a property which is cold and unventilated is asking for condensation to form and encouraging the growth of mould.

Mould is bad news for tenant and landlord alike.  For the tenant, it can lead to illness, degradation of possessions, and misery. For the landlord, it can lead to damage to their property, unhappy tenants, and in serious cases, legal action. 

It is important that tenants are encouraged to report mould problems, so that they can be investigated and tackled before they become serious (this is especially true if the mould is not the common black type).  Clear photos and accurate descriptions of the issue can greatly assist landlords in treating the problem.  

It is vital for landlords to work with their tenants to encourage them to play their part in reducing mould and condensation problems.  As ever, the best solution is when landlord and tenant work together to prevent the problem occurring in the first place.

Phil Cooper is lettings partner at Arnolds Keys.  www.arnoldskeys.com