Property Ombudsman issues new guidance on how to deal with damp and mould
Survey shows there is a growing need for guidance in the area as nearly half of lettings have ongoing issues with damp and mould.
With 41% of lettings properties having some sort of damp or mould problem and Awaab’s Law about to be extended to the PRS, the Property Ombudsman is offering guidance to help agents, landlords and tenants deal with the issue.
Misunderstanding
A survey of 719 letting agents uncovered how widespread the issue is and how much misunderstanding there is around it.
Although the survey found the majority of agents recognised the seriousness of damp and mould, many believed they were mostly linked to tenant activities, such as not using extractor fans during cooking and bathing or drying laundry rather than a building’s construction.
Knowledge levels were a bigger problem for landlords though with 23% of agents claiming landlords did not take damp and mould seriously enough.
To help clarify the issue, The Property Ombudsman has produced a new set of guidelines for tenants, agents and landlords, designed to help them spot the signs of condensation, damp and mould as well as giving preventative tips and advice on reporting issues.
Our research shows what a complex issue this is.”
Heating and ventilation are some of the key focuses and the guide recommends opening windows and using extractor fans to help prevent damp and mould as well as wiping away condensation and using anti-fungal products on mould.
Rebecca Marsh, The Property Ombudsman, said: “Our research shows what a complex issue this is. Condensation, damp and mould are interlinked and caused by a variety of factors: environmental, structural and behavioural but one thing is clear, we need to work with renters, landlords and agents to prevent it occurring.”
The Property Ombudsman scheme is the largest Government approved redress scheme for the private property sector with 37,397 members operating from 19,359 offices and branches across the UK.
Not sure where some of these surveys obtain their statistics from or perhaps I am just lucky but 41% of properties with mould issues I cannot believe. Yes we have a the odd one and I would say it is around 2% of our book. It is important to separate mould from damp. Damp we find is often a roof with damage or downpipes or gutters causing water ingress. Mould is almost every time lifestyle ie no ventilation or lack of heat or both. We visit and talk the tenants through and give them a very good guide leaflet.
Do I expect more issues, yes, why? well simple energy costs are way too high shame the government have increased these rather than reduced as promised and houses are now sealed with no air flow which is hardly the landlords fault.
Have tenants been absolved of any responsibility to look after their properties. In my experience 85%+ of so called damp issues are caused by tenants not opening windows and ventilating a property.
Properties that were previously lived in by the owners for years with no mould or condensation suddenly have black mould spots when the tenants move in.
But of course it will be the landlord’s fault and responsibility……
More landlord’s will leave the market while population growth continues at a pace.
I know, lets bring in rent controls. That will solve it.