The colder weather at this time of year means condensation, damp, mould, and mildew become more of a frequent problem throughout homes in this country. In rented accommodation, it’s important that both landlords and tenants understand the causes, preventions, and their responsibilities to tackling condensation, damp, mould, and mildew before it can develop into a potentially hazardous issue. Although these four terms are usually referred to synonymously, there are different ways of dealing with each, which we will explore further in this post.
Mould & Mildew
First off, what’s the difference between mould and mildew? Mildew is a particular type of mould but generally the two terms are interchangeable and for the rest of this post when we will refer to both terms as ‘mould’. Mould is a fungus that thrives in the home when it’s provided with the optimum environment of moisture, warmth, and materials for the mould to feed on.
Simply put, mould found in a property is caused by damp. Although there may be a number of reasons that are causing the damp, when the water from this damp comes into contact with porous surfaces such as those covered in paint or wallpaper, then the mould starts to grow. There are a number of signs you can look out for including a musty smell, dark stains, peeling wallpaper or paint, and excessive condensation. Mould can cause a number of physical and mental health problems and it is therefore vital that the issue is seen to before it can develop further.
Some mould you may be able to remove by yourself – but you should always read how to do this safely before attempting – by wiping down the affected arears using a fungicidal wash. However, if the mould is more persistent it may be that the cause of the mould needs to be addressed in the first instance. Let’s next look at the most common causes of mould and how to tackle them.
Condensation
Arguably, condensation is the most common form of dampness and is caused when water droplets found in warm moist air come into contact with colder surfaces such as an outside wall or a window. Over time, the moisture will build up and little black spots of mould can start to appear. Left to develop, condensation can lead to a musty, unsightly property and aggravate health problems such as asthma.
Condensation can generally be managed by tenants by building some fairly easy habits:
- Open windows regularly
- Heat the property adequately
- Cover pans when cooking
- Dry clothes outdoors wherever possible, or indoors on a dryer
- Close internal doors when cooking or showering
- Leave a gap between external walls and furniture to allow air flow
- Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms
- Wipe condensation from windowsills each morning
- Use a dehumidifier
- Keep window trickle vents open.
After following these steps if the condensation is still causing a mould issue, then it’s time for the landlord to step-in. Landlords should look at the condensation triangle to make sure they have done as much as they can to mitigate condensation. The condensation triangle is made up of ‘insulation, ventilation and heating’, and it is a landlord’s responsibility to ensure the property is adequately insulated, ventilated, and heated. If not then they should take steps such as draught proofing, installing double glazing, or an extractor fan, to do as much as they can to prevent the issue.
Rising Damp
Rising damp is caused when moisture from the ground travels up into the property. You will be able to tell if you have rising damp as you will see a dark stain where the damp is climbing, causing a ‘tide’ mark to about 30-60cm up the wall. There will usually be what looks like a powdery substance left caused by the nitrate salts in the damp, the wallpaper/paint on the wall will start peeling and the skirting boards will start to breakdown.
Rising damp mainly affects older homes built pre-1875, as they were not built with a damp-proof course. In newer homes a damp-proof membrane is part of building regulations, but these can fail, so even newer homes can fall victim to rising damp. If you have rising damp, then this is a landlord’s responsibility to fix as the damp is coming from outside, and Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act says landlords mut keep good the exterior of the property. A specialist will generally be needed to fix this type of damp.
Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp is caused by water getting into the building externally usually through some fault in the walls or roof, and it is usually more noticeable after it’s been raining. It will generally be found higher up on a wall and obvious signs include damp circles, crumbling plaster, wet feeling walls, and blotching wallpaper and paint.
Again, penetrating damp is a landlord’s responsibility to fix as it is an issue with the fabric of the building. Causes could include missing roof tiles, gutters overflowing/leaking, cracked outer walls, poor mortar, loose flashing, or damaged pointing. A landlord should firstly get someone to find the source of the leak and then arrange for a tradesperson to fix it.
Internal plumbing issue
Damp could also be caused by an undiagnosed internal plumbing issue. Leaks from water and waste pipes can occur at any time especially from bathrooms and kitchens and are very common. If a tenant notices any sort of leak, they should report it as soon as possible. The major signs of a leak are dripping water coming through the wall or ceiling, and damp patches that feel or look wet. If the source of the leak is evident, then simple steps such as catching any dripping water, turning off the water supply, or turning off the appliance that is causing the leak, should be taken in the first instance. A tradesperson should then be called to fix the issue.
Although mould is unfortunately a common occurrence, it can cause serious health problems and therefore needs to be taken seriously if found in any home. If you’re a landlord and are struggling to deal with mould in your rental property, then maybe we could help? We have years of experience in advising tenants on how to deal the issue and a myriad of tradespeople who are experts in the field. We offer flexible management packages that will suit your property needs. Get in touch if you think we may be just what you need.
