Damp and mould

Keeping the problem at bay

A topic that is hitting the headlines with increasing frequency is the problem of damp and mould occurring in rental properties (and homes in general) and the risk they present to health.

Why is this happening?

In a nutshell, mould will appear in buildings primarily as a result of the combination of excess moisture and poor ventilation.

  1. Condensation
    If you’ve woken in the morning after a cold night and the thermostat has just kicked in to turn the heating on, you’ll often see droplets of water on the windows, especially if they are single glazed. Condensation occurs when warm, moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces like walls or windows. You will also commonly see this in bathrooms, and kitchens, where moisture is more prevalent anyway, and also in poorly insulated rooms.
  2. Ventilation
    Where there is poor ventilation or windows and doors are kept closed e.g. in attempt to keep the heat in, humid air is trapped allowing moisture and damp to accumulate.
  3. Leaks
    If there are any incidences of leaks, water can find its way into the building via roofs, gutters, plumbing, or damaged brickwork or render, eventually creating the damp conditions that mould thrives on.
  4. Rising damp
    As the title suggests, this is moisture working its way up from the ground through a building due to an old, damaged or absent damp proof course. This sometimes makes itself known by tide marks on the walls and a musty smell.
  5. Laundry
    Last but not least is this unexpected cause. After washing, many householders dry their clothes on radiators or clothes horses indoors, either because they have no outdoor space or washing line, or because it is winter and there’s nowhere else to put it. Tumble dryers are a luxury and do not often come as standard in rental homes, plus today’s environmentally minded population are shying away from this domestic device due to its excessive use of energy and high carbon emissions.

Cause and effect

Excess moisture is the culprit leading to persistent damp which creates the right environment for mould to grow. Mould is a fungus that forms and proliferates under conditions of moisture, stagnant air and mild/warm temperature. Evidence of damp can be seen as wet patches, staining and peeling walls leading to the formation of black, green or white mould patches.

The effect is a toxic environment that is unpleasant to live in and potentially harmful for vulnerable people. Infants, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions are most susceptible to the adverse health effects of mould. Inevitably, families in social housing or low-income private rentals often face prolonged exposure due to delayed or total lack of maintenance and limited resources.

Solutions and preventative measures

Ventilation – The most immediate solution is ventilation. Regularly airing rooms by opening windows for a spell and using fans to move the air around is the first step. Make use of built-in extractors in bathrooms and kitchens, and ensure these are fully functional and in good repair at all times. Leave ‘trickle vents’ open on newer windows or leave windows open a fraction overnight if possible. Keep a gap between furniture and walls to allow air to circulate.

Moisture control – Dry windows and sills every morning with a cloth or squeegee. Beware of draping wet clothing around your home. Look for ways to manage laundry either by line-drying or putting it in a room with an open window. Consider buying quick dry clothing with a higher synthetic content to make laundry management easier. Cotton, wool and linen retain more water and dry slowly. Polyester, acrylic and Lycra retain less moisture and also require less ironing. Don’t boil foods endlessly on the hob or turn the kettle on repeatedly with more water than needed. Have a shower instead of a steaming bath… and so on.

Cleaning – Use mould removal products for small areas or wash walls with a dilute solution of bleach and then wipe dry. It may be necessary to do this on a regular basis if there is an issue with damp, or at certain times of the year.

Who is responsible?

The Landlord or building owner
If you are renting a property, then the landlord is responsible for the fabric of the building and ensuring that it is generally in a good state of repair and that insulation is sufficient.

In the UK, landlords have a responsibility to address damp and mould issues in rental properties if they are caused by disrepair or pose a health risk. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires that properties are free from serious hazards like damp and mould that could impact health. If landlords fail to address mould issues, tenants can ultimately contact their local council’s environmental health department for inspections and enforcement actions.

The Tenant
Beyond the integrity of the structure of the building, the tenant themselves have a role to play in managing moisture levels. Damp and mould can occur even in structurally sound buildings due to the creation of excess moisture through cooking/showering/wet laundry, and lack of adequate ventilation. Many people do not understand how damp propagates and therefore do not take active steps to help prevent it. If your rental property shows signs of damp and consequently mould, you should address this with your managing agent or your landlord as soon as possible to determine the causes and, together, take the necessary action. It is always better not to let damp and mould take root.

Old house/new build?

Ironically, not only are older properties susceptible to mould propagation, but believe it or not, so are new builds. Building regulations and sustainability rules dictate that modern properties be water and airtight to prevent loss of heat and optimise heat economy within the building. In principle, this is great, however the downside of this is that the lack of ventilation, air bricks and ‘gaps’ in masonry, woodwork and windows, means that air no longer circulates in the same way that it did with older ‘breathable’ building methods.

Incidents of mould are occurring in new builds (much to the surprise of the owners) and the solution is manual or mechanical ventilation. In this case, bathroom and kitchen fans and extractors must be operational when bathing, showering or cooking to counterbalance the additional moisture in the air. A dehumidifier can help to extract moisture where the usual measures are insufficient.

Proactive management

The best approach for landlords is to ensure that a thorough inspection of your property(s) has been made and a structured maintenance plan put in place. Attending to leaks, missing roof tiles, and old, worn or damaged render, window frames and general weatherproofing is the surefire way to protect your investment and retain happy tenants. Meanwhile, educating tenants with regards to ventilation and moisture management can help to keep your property in a healthy state. Prevention is always better than cure, and investing at the outset can spare you and your tenants a great deal of grief in the long term.

At MIH, we take the strain out of property maintenance. Speak to our team to discuss your property management requirements. Call us today on 020 3637 7968 or email info@mihproperty.co.uk

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