Black mould in one bed ground floor flat

Black mould in one bed ground floor flat

12:10 PM, 9th January 2018, About 7 years ago 12

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I’m new to being a landlord and have had tenants in my flat for the first time since end of September. It’s been fairly problematic since with drain blockages, my boiler needs replacing, all of that is manageable however my flat has been prone to rising damp.

I had professional damp proofing done 3 years ago in the bedroom which fixed the rising damp issues however, I have been in to the property this morning and the tenants have shown 3 sections of black mould which has appeared since they have moved in.

I never had this issue when I lived there. The black mould is clear to see on the white painted walls and all in the bottom corners of any external walls in the bathroom, bedroom and living room. I have provided a dehumidifier, the double glazing is new and they have trickle vents, but don’t understand why black mould is forming.

There is a smell of damp in the flat now. I am aware that washing is being dried inside over chairs and the radiators, the radiators in the living room and bathroom were turned off (they are trying to manage costs) so I don’t know if this is adding to the issues.

Any advice and help would be appreciated and an understanding of whether I am now accountable to fix an issue which I feel the tenants have created.

Thank you

Farzana


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AnthonyJames

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16:45 PM, 23rd January 2018, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Daniel at 09/01/2018 - 21:21
According to Which? heat pump tumble driers do give lower running costs, but at the cost of a significantly higher capital outlay. Overall, there's little to be gained for normal domestic users, but I can see a use for landlords, because if you can only encourage the tenants to use the drier instead of radiators to dry clothes, you will save money on redecorating costs.

However, there are other negative features of these driers:
- it apparently takes much longer with certain models to dry clothes compared with electric condensor-driers - perhaps twice as long, so the tenants may give up on using it.
- more complex, so more things to break down and higher servicing costs
- see further negative comments, including by Joe Public, at http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/buying-advice/tumble-dryers/3845-are-heat-pump-dryers-worth-it

Perhaps stick to electricity, or maybe look at gas condensor driers, which have been around for ages and, like gas fridges, have much cheaper running costs?

Ant Homin

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13:31 PM, 29th January 2018, About 7 years ago

Damp and mould is a problem of modern living which is only going to get worse. Occupational damp is governed by 3 criteria - heat, ventilation, moisture. Higher temperatures for comfort allows greater levels of humidity in the air which condenses on cooler surfaces (walls).

Modern homes with higher levels of insulation built without cold bridges can accommodate higher moisture levels than older homes before condensation (damp) occurs and the inevitable mould. Older properties are upgraded (sealed) to modern standards (draught proofing, double glazing, balanced flue boilers and sealing up vents) but there is no guidance to ensure healthy ventilation is maintained. Apart from the obvious moisture generating activities (showering, clothes drying etc) the average adult exhales around ½ pint of moisture when sleeping ie around 1 pint is exhaled into the average bedroom each night.

The cure is good ventilation, either by leaving windows open or to install mechanical ventilation - as suggested by Rosemary Boscombe. Extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom help but don’t provide ventilation in the rest of the property.

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