When condensation and mould is caused by the tenant?

Hi there - I attended a course on this and it’s very contradictory-we have started using a data logger to demonstrate levels of heat and moisture in a property of say a week or 2 this will tell you if the heating is on and whether or not the property is being properly ventilated. If you can show you are doing all you can to help the tenant it then becomes their issue.
Good luck 🍀

If previous tenants had no issues and I check that there are no strucutural problems, the tenant is told that the mould is due to their lifestyle and give advise on how to reduce it. We clean the mould and repaint. If the mould returns, I get an inexpensive independant report carried out to reinforce our diagnosis. Sometimes the tenants then realise its them - if not they get a section 21. Heaven help us when section 21 goes - we'll waste more time and money getting reports, logging actions and defending ourselves.
Result - rent increases and as usual the good tenants will foot the bill.

I totally agree with John Socha re using Envirovent. I used to have problem properties & one was so bad the walls & ceiling turned to black mould as the tenant was running a laundry business at home. Over the last 10-15 years I installed Envirovent in 13 of the 14 properties (some just a mains unit, others a unit plus fans or just fans) & I've not had one problem since at any property. Condensation has become a thing of the past for me. I also have the units & fans serviced by E'vent every 5-7years + change the fan filters as I want to ensure they continue doing such a brilliant job. I also educate tenants on how to control condensation & have them sign a Guide at the beginning of the tenancy & at every renewal as I like to reiterate the golden rules of what they can do to help at every opportunity, especially since in Sept 2023 the DHULC published guidance that clarifies the issue and put the responsibility firmly in the landlord’s court. The new guidance makes it clear that tenants should not be blamed, stating: “Damp and mould in the home are not the result of ‘lifestyle choices’, and it is the responsibility of landlords to identify and address the underlying causes of the problem”. It also says that landlords must treat cases of damp and mould “with the utmost seriousness and act promptly to protect their tenants’ health.” Yes - it's rubbish that it's not down to Lifestyle, but if I have to live with this stupid decision, I want to make sure "my" properties are protected from damage caused by condensation by the continuing use of EVent & tenant education at every opportunity.

I can speak with some authority on this matter. Example 1 - house tenanted for 5 years by same people - no mould issues, new people move in - continual mould issues for 1 year, they move out, third couple move in - no mould issues since then - 2 years. My pal is a building surveyor and attends all damp issues with me. Damp can be classes broadly in 4 ways (1) rising (2) penetrating (3) downward (4) interstitial condensation. The most common cause of rising I have found is where the external ground level is above the internal. The most common cause of penetrating I have seen is sideways rain blown up tiles into loft spaces where no membrane is under the roof tiles, and the most common downward, where roof/chimney/gutter/downpipe needs attention. Then there is interstitial condensation, caused by moisture created by the inhabitants of a property. Most common causes, clothes drying on rads or clothes horses, showers and baths with no air extract and door open to rest of house (close the bathroom door and leave it closed for 1/2 hour after shower bath for extract to do its job), boiling pans with no lids, gas fires (yes they produce moisture) aquariums, people themselves - sweat and breath, wet dogs. The marking on the walls for all of these looks different. Where the moisture is created in the house it condenses on the coldest surface when it hits what is called the dew point. This is usually condensation on windows in the morning, on external walls and especially in areas with low air circulation - behind wardrobes, sofas, tvs. Buy a hygrometer on Amazon - about £12, measure the relative humidity in the property. This will tell you all you need to know about the internal creation of moisture. Of course do look for external sources too. I have found that c95% of my mould issues are tenant created. Ensure tenants are provided with and told about damp especially in old houses. I suspect a builder surveyors report could challenge a councils assertions if they are incorrect. At the end of the day section 21 is the only way to go is the tenant is unwilling to change behaviour. I install bathroom extracts (super quiet) with a minimum of 30 mins on time attached to bathroom lighting. Good luck

Reply to the comment left by Des Taylor & Phil Turtle, Landlord Licensing & Defence at 24/01/2024 - 11:56
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damp-and-mould-understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-for-rented-housing-providers/understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-of-damp-and-mould-in-the-home--2

Thanks for posting this link. I have only just read through this thread and have been quite alarmed at the number of landlords who still seem to be unaware of their responsibility to thoroughly investigate and do whatever is necessary to eliminate damp and mould from their property.

Reply to the comment left by JeggNegg at 24/01/2024 - 14:49
Yes I thought the same. Disappointed with Martin Lewis this time.

Just keep doing everything you can to reduce mould, get him to sign a piece of paper or agree in an email that he is happy with the work being done to get rid of the mould and keep the place clean and nice, then contact legalmentor.

Reply to the comment left by J C at 27/01/2024 - 10:50
"Just keep doing everything you can to reduce mould"

The problem with this is that there may be a vast difference between what you think you can do and what government/the courts expect you to do.

Reply to the comment left by Deb at 27/01/2024 - 10:36
I am so glad I am not alone.

What's next ? Tenant complaining that there's excessive amounts of dust gathering on the mantle ? The carpets are looking dirty ? Treat them with the contempt they deserve. They sign a document saying they will keep the house clean and tidy and leave it in the same condition allowing for slight wear & tear . I told mine I'd call every week at 7pm to do the dusting & hoovering and open the windows for fresh air and circulation which will go onto the rent. Needless to say they didn't like that idea and have now started to 'live normally ' and wow !....no more issues. Not a lifestyle problem my derrière !