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Mould control

Started by Martha, April 28, 2024, 08:04:21 AM

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Martha

I see that new legislation on mould control is bubbling under.

A property we rent out is a terraced single skin wall build, built about 100 years ago.

Owners before us, had sealed off fireplaced and fitted nice draught free windows.
The property is in good condition in terms of damp, it has no leaks or rising damp.
The property now has a modern gas central heating system.

Fuel prices are not cheap, and tenants are very reluctant to ventilate especially when they have the heating on.

The result is that it is possible for some mould to gather :

a) behind furniture (like settees) which is placed against external walls
b) in the bed room near to the windows.

I think these are normal, reasonable situations which a tenant should be dealing with.
A change in the law will just absolve tenants of any obligation to manage ventilation and the consequential mould which might occur

If the law compels landlords to completely resolve these issues, what gives?

heavykarma

I think I am right in saying it will now only apply to social landlords.

Martha

thanks heavykarma nice to know. At least that is something.

Although we know how governments have a habit of incrementally changing laws in the hope that no one notices :-(

HandyMan

Quote from: Martha on April 28, 2024, 08:04:21 AMI think these are normal, reasonable situations which a tenant should be dealing with.

Agreed.

However, many tenants do not realise the link between lack of ventilation and the growth of mould, so I regard it as the Landlord's responsibility to ensure that they give the tenant advice on how to avoid mould.

When I had tenants I included the essential elements from the leaflet below in the information pack I gave them, and made it clear in writing that they were responsible for ensuring there was adequate ventilation.

https://www.dashservices.org.uk/Media/Default/Docs/landlord library/NCC Condensation damp and mould leaflet.pdf

Martha

thank you HandyMan.  Very interesting.