Nearly half of renters struggle with mould – survey

I’d need to know how this data was gathered to firm a better opinion. I find the figure of 43% extraordinary and not one that my own experiences would Eleanor me to expect.

We all probably get some black algae from time to time. Cleaning it regularly usually solves the problem. Some tenants won’t clean it because they prefer to claim compensation or they just don’t care.

As we insulate our homes to achieve higher EPC ratings, we make them more susceptible to damp.

So many tradesmen just want to drill holes and inject chemicals without fixing the underlying problem.

I think it may be time to stop housing tenants in old homes and move them to ‘trailer parks’.

With the majority of tenants where income is restricted (Just like home owners!) cutting back on expenditure is inevitably and one of the biggest things to try and address is bills.

The reality of putting another jumper on is find for body warmth but not for property health. This country is damp in the winter. Our old housing stock can cope with this, but add in modern living, items that ensure more moisture is retained inside and further occupancy/larger families more stuff, furniture belongings etc and there's the potential for problems, the results of which appear fairly quickly. Once a house gets too cold problems are inevitable.

If you remove ALL other possible issues for damp/mould etc like structural issues/ leaks etc then the reality is IS down to tenant action/inaction.

LL's I think need to attack this head on - make it clear at the start of the tenancy what tenant action is needed to help maintain property health.

Gone are the days where you assume a tenant knows what they need to do. Many havent got a clue. Pitch every tenancy offered as though you are renting to a newbie. I given them prevention information explain what THEIR responsibilities are amd make it clear what your expectations are.

I have a number of foreign workers who simply haven't a clue. Not necessarily stupidity, just no understanding. In their country the heat dries things up. In our country water used in pots to clean themselves after using the loo (instead of paper) means water on the floor etc. Ive had tenants take off shower curtains from a cubicle because they dont think they are necessary. No excess water wont just evaporate! It has to be dried off. Basic things but it has to be spelt out.

Little is said about tenants eg failing to open vents on windows. Failing to vent when they keep drying clothes on radiators or these heated clothes dryers etc. Not venting when cooking, not using extractor fans when they are there. I’ve lost count of times I’ve had to explain that all this water vapour generated goes into the walls or furniture and then mould can develop. It’s not always the landlord’s fault or responsibility yet we seem to always get the blame.

We have a tenant that after a few months of moving in complained of mould, previous tenants never had a problem.

Due to antisocial neighbors we let them move to another 1 of our houses. Guess what! mould in that house too now. PIV fan has sorted it out, but its definitely down to life style.

Also water leaks as apparently a 30 min shower is normal? Thankfully wall boards over the tiles have solved this problem.

Fast forward a few years.

New tenants moved into house #1 and no mould issues.

Antisocial neighbors have now left and tenant #2 has no mould issues either and loves the house.

I'm sure that the government will always blame it on the landlord and the house.

I have it in writing that the tenants for the last 5 years or so have no damp or mould issues.

I have a property which I have let to various people since 1997 without damp or mould problems until 3 guys moved in a few years ago.
They put a washing line up in the lounge and refused to use the dryer.
The place very quickly became covered in black mould and they had the cheek to say that their behaviour was not causing the problem.
Luckily they moved out after six months and to date no more damp problems.
Unless it is penetrating or rising damp most of these problems are caused by the tenants lifestyle.

I have been a landlord for almost 30 years with many properties. Mould clearly comes and goes with certain tenants, eg no mould for 15 years, mould for 6/12 months with a moaner, then no mould for years again. This has been my experience on at least half a dozen of my houses.
I am sick of repeating the above though. Now being entirely to blame is just one of the many factors that is making me sell off all my houses. Weirdly I was doing my CGT returns on a house sale today, ready to hand the govt another £70k, and was re reading some really stroppy and aggressive complaint letters on file that I received from some girls when the house was a 4 room hmo in 2003. Apparently everything was really damp and mouldy. Strange how no family in the 21 years since had that issue?

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 04/11/2024 - 10:12
Yes I own properties and at the beginning of every winter they are given a check list and I go through it with them it seems to work because these youngsters they have absolutely no ideas on running a house and the need to open windows each morning and no wet washing and a inspection every four weeks so any problems can be sorted out and a re education if need be

Always the same problems, lack of heating and lack ventilation, made worse by drying laundry over radiators etc.

Reply to the comment left by Stella at 04/11/2024 - 13:53
Terrible Stella. And we are blamed. Money grabbing landlords!!

Generally mould is the occupiers lifestyle, according to a Council health dept inspector. eg lack of ventilation, not cleaning condensation daily from windows when it appears, not opening windows when cooking or using an extractor and similar in bathrooms when bathing or showering, taping up window and passive air vents, not adequately heating the property etc etc.

But then against a tenants human rights to suggest/tell people how to live.

Tenants should be taught how to look after a property maybe even have to pass a test and have a certificate lol