Can I remove the inner trickle vent covers?

Can I remove the inner trickle vent covers?

10:17 AM, 30th March 2023, About A year ago 13

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Hello, I have a tenants that will not open the trickle vents. Most of the trickle vents seem to be open along with the windows when the letting agent or myself is visiting the property for repairs or checks to make it seem as though they are ventilating the property.

I had the windows replaced with trickle vents rather than fitting trickle vents to the older UPVC windows.

The central heating is being left off during the winter and an extract fan is fitted in the bathroom.

I am sure the trickle vents are being closed all the time as there are no other damp issues but mould has been growing around bedroom windows as the tenants are home all the time. I have tried to tell them many times about airing the house correctly and to put the heating on low. I have noticed the main bedroom has a portable electric heater plugged in to only warm one room rather than use the central heating.

I am beginning to think I should have fitted air bricks instead.

Can I remove the inner trickle vent covers in the property to ensure they are open for some airflow at least?

Thank you,

Sav


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Comments

Peter Molloy

8:46 AM, 27th April 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Rob Crawford at 30/03/2023 - 14:26
im going to order one of these as a test. Looks like I can just take it with me to landlord checks going forward and put it in different rooms as I go to check status at that point. Easy for tenant to understand and gives a form of 'evidence' to see for themselves. Also a chance to take a photo of its reading in situ to attach as a photo to the LL check.

Peter Molloy

9:28 AM, 27th April 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by John Lettings at 30/03/2023 - 21:14
surely it just moves the same moist air already in the property around?

If the property is not highly insulated then naturally the property will already have air escape areas. In this situation a unit like this will draw air in outside air and just push it around until if finds its own way out. Condensation would not form as any damp air is to being allowed to settle. By that reasoning it would just really mean that all that needs to happen is to open the windows to allow natural circulation?

I get the point that the issue is raised because the tenants do not open the trickle vents/windows, but running this vent system then leaves it open to being a colder house especially if tenants don't heat it properly either as it would be drawing air in from the outside (colder and probably more humid too) and venting it directly into the house?

Reluctant Landlord

9:53 AM, 27th April 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Peter Molloy at 27/04/2023 - 08:46
it is something you can ask an agent to check too if you decide to let. Make sure its on their check schedule and recorded.

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