Ants and Mould: A Landlord’s Nightmare or Tenant’s Responsibility?

So, Sir Keir Starmer has had some stern words for Labour MP Jas Athwal over complaints of ant infestations and black mould in his rental properties. While nobody enjoys dealing with these nuisances, should landlords always be held accountable? Let’s explore the balance of responsibility.

Ants – The Uninvited Guests

We’ve all been there—one day it’s a few ants, and the next, it feels like they’ve invited their entire colony over for tea. For tenants, it’s frustrating to discover these tiny critters invading their homes, especially when they’re crawling on your kids (definitely not ideal). But ants, unlike dodgy wiring or leaky roofs, are a bit harder to pin on landlords.

Ants are opportunistic and, frankly, relentless. They’re attracted to any sign of food—leftover crumbs, open sugar jars, even dirty plates left too long in the sink. Their entrance strategy is impeccable, finding their way into homes through even the tiniest cracks in doors or windows. But here’s the kicker: ants are seasonal creatures. They thrive in warm weather and, unless we expect landlords to control the weather, this is more a battle of household hygiene than structural failure.

Sure, if the property has cracks or gaps in the walls, it’s reasonable to ask the landlord to patch them up. However, tenants also have a responsibility to keep their homes clean and food properly stored. A bag of sugar left open can be the red carpet for an ant infestation, and while it’s easy to shout “Landlord!”, sometimes, the solution might just be as simple as grabbing an ant trap or two.

Black Mould – Not Always Just a Structural Issue

Let’s move on to the horror of black mould. Yes, it looks gross, and it can cause respiratory issues. But contrary to popular belief, black mould doesn’t always mean the building itself is falling apart. Mould loves moisture, and that’s where the tenant’s lifestyle can play a big role.

Condensation is mould’s best friend, and it can form in any home where there’s a lot of moisture and poor ventilation. We’re talking about those long, steamy showers without the extractor fan on, drying clothes indoors with no windows open, and even cooking without a vent running. The warm, damp air meets the cold walls, and boom—you’ve got a mouldy mess on your hands.

Now, landlords should absolutely ensure properties have proper ventilation—whether that’s an extractor fan in the bathroom, decent insulation, or ensuring windows can be easily opened. But if a tenant skips using the fan, blocks air vents, or leaves damp clothes hanging around, they’re practically rolling out the welcome mat for mould.

The key to avoiding black mould is a bit of teamwork. Tenants need to take care of their environment—opening windows, using fans, and keeping the air moving are all ways to prevent mould from forming. At the same time, landlords must ensure there’s no underlying damp problem caused by leaks or faulty construction. It’s a two-way street, but pointing fingers solely at landlords when the ceiling turns black? Not always fair.

The Role of a Responsible Landlord

There’s no denying that landlords have a duty of care to maintain properties that are safe, secure, and fit to live in. If an infestation is caused by structural problems, or if there’s evidence of chronic damp that isn’t being addressed, that’s squarely on the landlord. In the case of Athwal, Starmer’s critique stems from tenants who’ve reported persistent problems. Fire alarms hanging loose, dodgy wiring, and communal areas that look like a set from a horror film? These issues do fall into the landlord’s lap.

But in cases like ants and mould, it’s important to draw a line between structural neglect and lifestyle factors. Ant infestations often arise from how food is managed and stored in the home, while mould can be caused by lack of ventilation. A responsible landlord will patch up cracks and ensure the property is ventilated, but a responsible tenant will also take steps to prevent these issues from spiralling out of control.

Final Thoughts: A Balanced Approach

There’s no denying that bad landlords exist, and they should absolutely be held accountable for providing substandard housing. But in the case of issues like ants and black mould, it’s not always a clear-cut case of neglect. A good tenant-landlord relationship is built on mutual responsibility. Landlords should maintain properties to a safe standard, but tenants also need to manage their living environment.

At the end of the day, we all want clean, healthy homes—and that requires a bit of teamwork. Whether you’re the landlord patching up cracks or the tenant keeping the place tidy, a collaborative approach can often solve these pesky problems far more effectively than casting blame.

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