Problems with mould as heating turned down?

Hi Sue

Yes this issue will affect a lot of landlords – we have student houses and most of them are not really bothered as there parents support the utility costs however we have had one house were this occurred

The students went to extreme measures to “reduce costs”

We have a 100 year old house/HMO 5 students with no history of mould in our twenty year tenure – like you we’ve worked on upgrading the ventilation issues – trickle vents and silent fans in all bedrooms rooms and Kitchen/bathroom plus Tumble dryer in kitchen.

About two years ago to coincide with a new boiler we installed a hive system and set up email alerts when the house temp dropped below 12’c and above 23’c

This last two months have proved invaluable
1. we are able to monitor house temperature – some days it was set at 6.5’c
2. we can adjust remotely were necessary
3. we have been able to have a sensible discussion with the students (an issue they have never encountered before) about drying clothes in their rooms etc
4. as we now have proof of the cause of this mould we will hold as a sanction the cost of remedial work to make good at the end of their contract
5. we also have a documented email trail

Hopefully with discussion and education we’ve headed off any potential issues – just a practical solution

Hi Sue, This is prolonged problem which us greedy landlords blamed & landlords (and girls) blame tenants. Saying this doesn’t solve anything! We have had four properties with this problem and with common sense was resolved(I think?). All houses didn’t have this problem over twenty years. So it’s been imported. Without raising the heckles of the tenants, inspected their property and usually finding the culprit; wet washing/towels from the shower on a radiator and a clothes horse. Without telling off them, they are adults, advise what to do. To place the washing in either the kitchen and/or the bathroom had should have an extractor fan & shut the door. Even open a window slightly subject the weather. Also use paint always as you do. Cheap bleach is very good but protect yourselves using a mask and thick long plastic gloves/gauntlets. Plus, “moisture absorber curve(?)” from your local DIY store. Good luck John

I had the same problem and found the only solution that actually works was to line the walls with Wallrock Thermal Liner from Go Wallpaper. Its not cheap £60 per roll covers 7sq meters, but have never had issues with mould again. Usually mould appears in cold corners or under windows, so Ive just done those areas and never had any further mould as the liner keeps the walls warm

Yes, – see …. ” as Tenants cannot afford to heat their homes ” –

https://news.sky.com/story/englands-ageing-housing-stock-poses-massive-health-risk-in-cost-of-living-crisis-12767367

I agree that not being able to afford heating etc is a huge contributor to the problem and is not the landlords fault. But the issue won’t go away and if left will cost more than lining paper – just saying

Reply to the comment left by Steve Huntridge at 19/12/2022 – 11:55
Whose name is the Hive account in? And how do you deal with the personal data protection issues?

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 19/12/2022 – 14:00
I would guess it doesnt matter, either a spoof or owners personal details, the tenants will only have the hive temp box which they can alter the temp setting, boost etc, no access or personal details of theirs needed, hive is linked to the heating not the gas / elec bill

Reply to the comment left by Chris H at 19/12/2022 – 14:48
So you are paying the gas/elec bill not the tenants?

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 19/12/2022 – 14:57
Correct

OK that makes sense. I misunderstood. In lots of student lets the student pays the energy bill.

I can’t see any way that most landlords with tenants could do this as if the tenant pays the bill you wouldn’t have the right of access to their energy use data.