Damp and mould – why blame landlords?

Damp and mould – why blame landlords?

11:24 AM, 31st March 2023, About 2 years ago 16

Text Size

Hi all, Is it only me getting a bit sick of getting the blame for damp and mould in Victorian terraced properties, especially the solid stone walled type? Cold walls = condensation = eventually mould.

When I inspect adjacent windows, the seals clearly show mould too, so a lack of ventilation.

I think we should adopt the German model where it is in the rental agreement that all windows should be opened for 5 mins every morning and evening, not that it will happen.

I also see or hear nearly every week, including the BBC, tenants complaining about their landlords not dealing with damp.

My plan is to issue a general flyer to all my tenants on what to do and explain what bleach is!

Heating off at this time of year hasn’t helped either.

What do you guys do to deal with this problem?

Thanks,
Martin


Share This Article


Comments

Chris Kelly

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

20:12 PM, 1st April 2023, About 2 years ago

I give all my tenants a guide on how to deal with the issues that cause mould. It also explains what responsibilities they have and what responsibilities I have. Best to get everything clear at the beginning.

Galina Imrie

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

20:14 PM, 1st April 2023, About 2 years ago

We give the tenants
- a folder with the mold management information, we sit down with them and explain how mold appears and why.
- we supply a dehumidifier, a tumble dryer vented outside, and a heated clothes horse.
- we don’t allow in the contract to use the radiators for drying clothes.
- we have installed special vents in the ceiling and the floor that must stay open.
- we supply mold spray for the cold spots and advise to deal with the mold immediately.
- we repaint the affected walls routinely between tenants.
- we conduct property checks twice every cold season.

A lot of it is just making tenants aware of what they need to do and why. Works with most tenants, doesn’t work with some. Like everything else.

Jem Treays

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

10:58 AM, 2nd April 2023, About 2 years ago

I find it takes a year to train my tenants. I give them a mould information prevention sheet, a dehumidifier and a bottle of cillit bang anti mould. In the first 6 months I check twice and clean and repaint any areas with mould myself after that I tell them it's up to them. I keep up with the checks (once a year) but ensure they do any cleaning after that.

Slooky

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

12:31 PM, 2nd April 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Martin Ryan at 01/04/2023 - 17:32
Changing the subject a bit but this is my concern if we are going to be forced to insulate internal walls of a solid brick wall. Surely this will create problems with the bricks retaining damp.
When we have taken parts of our building back to brick we have come across bricks which have turned to mush because of damp.

Tim Rogers

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

13:21 PM, 2nd April 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Slooky at 02/04/2023 - 12:31
I have similar concerns, I came across this information site. They have a range of advice pages, I post one as link point.

https://www.eco-home-essentials.co.uk/vapour-barrier.html

rita chawla

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

15:06 PM, 2nd April 2023, About 2 years ago

Last time I suggested the German style approach you mentioned in this website, I received quite unkind comments from fellow landlords. Before we educate the tenants, we need to educate our fellow landlords! While I don't have any Victorian properties, I have a few 70s -90s flats and found that convincing the tenants to open windows especially after shower, boiling kettle etc. goes a long way towards preventing mould. My properties are in London so this might not be the case in colder parts of the country. We don't use heating in bathroom, kitchen or communal areas and ventilation/opening windows and using automatic extractor fans that run twice a day have been enough to prevent mould. I do spend a lot of time though educating my tenants about mould, home maintenance etc. Regular chats (almost every month), clauses in tenant agreement, monthly checks and feedback. More awareness and acceptance amongst landlords about the German style approach will definitely help as it seems landlords like me are a small minority in this country.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Automated Assistant Read More