New guide for landlords to tackle damp and mould

I shall not be downloading and distributing this leaflet, which says in prominent writing: "Regardless of the damp type, landlords are legally obliged to address damp and mould, collaborating with qualified professionals".

Call me cynical but this tells me that: first, it implies that LLs aren’t trusted to have enough knowledge or life experience to ascertain the cause of the problem; next, the LL has to be made aware of the problem (doesn't always happen), then cough up money to get in professionals to determine the cause of the damp/mould (no problem if it’s something other than tenant lifestyle); and where that isn’t the case, wait for the problem to recur, whilst all the time the Tenant has the ‘get out of jail card’ and it remains the LL's obligation to address.

If tenants are adults and literate enough to read and sign an AST and accompanying documentation, why does Govt, judiciary et al allow them to ignore their contract provisions and require LLs to take the legal and financial ‘hit’ (again). Adding insult to injury, there will be limited scope to recover possession either, even for repeat offenders.

Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 14/12/2023 - 17:10
... and notice this document is collaboration with the NRLA who in my opinion are quite often all too eager to try to appease the peanut gallery and the PC brigade instead of robustly representing Landlord's rights in the face of a barrage of absurd rule changes and criticisms from all quarters.

It ain't really complicated, make sure has a landlord that you inspect your property regularly, if you are having difficulty gaining access to non compliant Tennant consider .a letter of intent to take proceedings to eviction if still no response eviction notice, generally if tennantswont let you inspect they are upto something or hiding something.

another thought...
The inventory shows no mould or damp at the start of the tenancy - and the tenant signs in agreement.
At the end of the tenancy if it is in situ (and cannot be attributed to the LL lack of maintenance etc) then what is this regarded as?

Damp and mould is certainly not not 'wear and tear', yet caused by occupation (again if structural faults are discounted), so really a claim should be made via the deposit AND if necessary via a money claim later on? Damage is not always caused by tenant action but can be from in-action.

If the LL wanted for example to really go to town on this, then he/she could use the gas/elec meter readings as the start and end of the tenancy as direct proof that the tenant was not heating the property adequately for example. I know we all has the useless EPC's but it does actually say on them what the 'average' energy use is for that property. That says to me that this is independent assessment to show what at the barest minimum, what the 'average' expectation of energy use would be for that property over a year. In other words actual proof that the tenant was NOT keeping the property heated adequately in order to ensure mould/damp did not result.

If every LL took this stance, the whole issue of damp and mould cannot be then regarded as always due to the LL but in fact down to the tenant. THAT would give Shelter et al some stats that would stick in their throat...plus perhaps the tenants themselves to focus again, on their use of the property in a proper 'tenant like manner'??

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 15/12/2023 - 12:01
It's a thought but it would never work in reality - you go to a Deposit appeal tribunal and they will invariably side with the tenant despite whatever logic, reasoning or common sense you present them with.

Reply to the comment left by Jeff L at 15/12/2023 - 12:07
understood BUT it gets the reason logged and again if taken later at money claim stage, at least the issue is formally logged.

It seems to me that yet again, if there is a way LL's can fight back, all options have to be taken to do this. Gathering evidence is the only way to do this surely?

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 15/12/2023 - 12:01
Good point. I have in the past asked tenants to provide either their gas or electricity bill as appropriate when it was obvious that the place was not heated. No doubt, I did not get copies.

The article above is too much about dealing with the symptoms. I didn't see too much on actual understanding of damp and mould. We have installed background ventilation fans (2) in each property, which are on very quietly all the time, but fire up as needed, like when showering and high humidity in the property. For example in a basement flat we have not had an issue, or any sign of damp nor mould in over 5 years. I don't think Tenancy Deposit and Inventory Hive are the right people to deal with this. Stick to what they know.

With standing charges approved by the government, the National Grid is for sure, not going to deliver the green energy tenants can afford. Standing charges actually penalise energy savings.The government should pay landlords £500 p.a. Winter Fuel Payment for doing the National Grid's job for them - but don't hold your breath. Shout for government grants to be given to PRS landlords to supply green ‘carbon-free’ heating. The expense of landlord’s green AC/heat pump upgrades to dehumidify premises can be passed on to benefit those accommodating hoards of nice new green tenants. Costs should be for kiloWatt hours delivered - nothing else.

With standing charges sanctioned by the government, the National Grid is for sure, NOT going to deliver any green energy that tenants can afford. As a privatised concern, National Grid actually penalises energy savings made by ordinary customers. It should not be allowed to pass on charges for infrastructure when it does not meter the energy delivered to retail consumers.

Hermetically sealing buildings means moist air gets trapped inside, which leads to a requirement for mechanical ventilation. But this is bad for ‘energy efficiency’ because it enforces "air changes" which take the hot air out and let cold air in. So use AC on DC. The expense of landlord’s green AC/heat pump upgrades to DEHUMIDIFY premises can be passed on to benefit those accommodating hoards of nice new green tenants.

The government should pay landlords a £500 p.a.Winter Fuel Payment for doing the National Grid's job for them - but don't hold your breath. Shout for government grants to be given to PRS landlords to supply green ‘carbon-free’ heating. This is the infrastructure the country needs.