Landlords urged to carry out inspections as damp and mould risks rise

An industry body warns that with winter approaching, landlords should increase inspections after one landlord discovered severe black mould caused by tenants failing to ventilate a property.

Propertymark has created a list for landlords and letting agents about different types of mould to look out for in a property and tips on what to do.

The news comes as social housing landlords prepare for Awaab’s Law, which comes into force this month and will be extended to the private rented sector in the future, requiring landlords to fix damp and mould within strict timeframes.

Severe black mould on the ceiling

Michaela Anaka, ARLA Propertymark Executive for South London, discovered her three-bedroom property was filled with severe black mould after tenants failed to ventilate the home, costing her thousands of pounds to fix.

She told Propertymark the tenant and their family had been sleeping in one bedroom, with numerous belongings stored in black plastic bags stacked against the walls and ceiling. The other bedrooms were also filled with bags of clothes.

A vented tumble dryer had been installed incorrectly, with the hose releasing moist air directly into the hallway in an attempt to provide heat. The tenant believed this was an alternative way to warm the property.

Indoor moisture levels were made worse by laundry being routinely dried on radiators while the heating was on, and windows were rarely opened, providing little ventilation. Severe mould developed across ceilings and walls due to constant condensation.

The tenant repeatedly avoided scheduled property inspections, and when access was finally gained, severe black mould was found on the ceilings. Conditions were so hazardous that tradespeople had to wear masks while carrying out repairs.

Michaela was left with a bill of several thousand pounds to treat and redecorate the property using specialist anti-mould treatments. A year later, the property remains mould-free.

Frequent inspections and access are vital

She urges landlords to conduct regular inspections to check the property.

She said: “Mould can escalate without adequate heating, ventilation, incorrect use of appliances, building issues and maintenance issues which is why prevention remains the most effective answer. Frequent inspections and access are vital, paying special attention to the exterior of the property especially ensuring gutters and downpipes are checked and cleaned annually.

“Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind excess belongings stored in a room along with overcrowding, worsens condensation, and early intervention prevents a high cost later for many tenants, particularly in terms of their health, as they can be exposed to asthma, allergic reactions, and other respiratory conditions. As winter approaches, please ensure that the conditions in your property do not allow damp and mould to flourish.”

Different types of damp and mould

Propertymark has created a list of different types of damp and mould to look out for in a property.

• Rising damp: This occurs when moisture is drawn upwards from the ground through the masonry. Typically, properties have preventative measures built in to avoid this from happening. However, this aspect of a building degrades over time and requires maintenance when it fails.
• Penetrating damp: This can be caused by, for example, a leaking external pipe or blocked gutters where water penetrates the fabric of a building from outside to inside. These are typically small and localised problems that can be easily fixed.
• Construction damp: Problems in how a property was designed and built can trigger this type of damp. Such issues should be remedied as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage to the fabric of the building.
• Condensation damp: Because of a lack of insulation, ventilation, heating, or a combination of these three factors, this type of damp occurs when a property cannot deal with regular levels of water vapour. It is important to ensure that you have suitable and constant ventilation across such areas to help prevent any spread of damp and mould.

The industry body says landlords and tenants should work together to address damp and mould issues.

Propertymark urges tenants not to dry wet clothes indoors without allowing a regular flow of fresh air and to make sure all areas are adequately ventilated, whilst landlords should regularly inspect the property, inform tenants how to use the heating system correctly, and ensure fans and vents are working properly.