Should tenants be educated on preventing mould in properties?

Isn’t it essential for tenants and the government to be educated about the causes of mould in properties, rather than blaming landlords for mould issues?

If we hermetically seal every property, condensation can still occur, at about 1 pint per adult per night. Even if clothes aren’t being dried on indoor washing lines, clothes horses, over room doors, on radiators, or backs of chairs, and without using lids on saucepans, moisture will still form in the coldest spots in the room. AND IF NOT WIPED AWAY, it will lead to mould growth.

I am appalled by the TV footage and press photos of mould in properties.

Are people (and not just tenants) so ignorant or lazy that they cannot wipe away condensation from windows/shower areas and screens? And if mould does appear wipe that away with a shop bought proprietary product or bleach diluted with a bit of water?

I had a tenant who refused to open windows in autumn, spring and winter – as she said in writing it was too cold in this country to open windows even though having lived here a couple of decades AND that if I wanted the condensation to be wiped from the windows then I could do it each morning as it wasn’t her job!

I also remember as a child in the late 1950’s-60’s writing my name and etching patterns on the frost/ice that appeared on the inside of my bedroom window on freezing cold winter mornings. Did I see mould? No as my mum would dry every window each morning.
After a bath the bathroom window would be opened if not already ajar even in winter – I never saw mould in the bathroom either.
We didn’t have a washing machine never mind an electric tumble dryer, we took the washing to a launderette weekly.

I don’t have my heating on through the nights in winter and window vac every window in my house each morning if condensation occurs and wipe the rubber seal dry. I often in winter dry well spun washing indoors. Have I ever had major mould issues ? No, as I have cleaned (10p in the swear box) off the odd speak on the bath sealant or rubber window gasket as soon as spotted.

I now educate my tenants and provide a bottle of HG Mould remover at the start of the tenancy to clean the bathroom sealant (it’s an internal bathroom with extraction) and the double glazed window rubber seals at the first sign of any mould spores. I explain to them the necessity of wiping away window condensation each morning. And to dry washing outside when able but to open the window if having to dry clothes on a clothes horse.

Thanks,

Judith

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