Should tenants be educated on preventing mould in properties?

In my opinion yes. We do send out a home made guidance for tenants, but the majority don’t care as they would rather blame the landlord. I think we really need to be using groups and representatives to push back on this point so landlords are not being used as scapegoats. The mould training I had stated that black spot mould can only be caused by condensation due to the type of mould spore and is therefore not as a result of penetrating damp. We need to educate the government in the types and causes of the differing mould growth that way rogue landlords and good landlords will not be tarnished with the same brush.

Landlords should be able to sue tenants for mould damage. This would crystallize their mind on their responsibility to maintain the property.

We also had a tenant (recently departed thank goodness) who suggested that if I wanted the condensation removed from the freshly stained wooden window sills (which had needed restoration only because they had been scratched to bu**ery by the 2 dogs she had in the property – without our consent – since she allowed them to access the garden by leaping from her sofa through the briefly opened front room window!) then I should make the 29 mile drive to the property each day to do it – as it ‘wasn’t her job’!

The tenant is expected to keep the property clean. Mould caused by condensation should be treated no differently. Tenant’s responsibility.

This should absolutely be a thing. It’s one of those situations where a person who is renting for the first time might not actually realise that they are the cause of mould growing.

A friend of mine moved into a place a couple of years ago, this was a place they bought not rented. They were telling me about how they were getting their walls tested for damp as they had mould growing on the walls. I asked for a picture and thankfully they had one. The pattern of mould on the walls was obvious that it was not a structural issue.

I asked if they dried their washing in there, they told me yes. I asked if they opened the window when they did so, they replied no.

I told them that the cause was for that reason and they had no idea that it could have been.

Even information as to showing the different kinds of mould patterns might be a good idea, so that it can be easily determined if there is a structural problem or resident caused.

I thought about installing vents but tenants would soon block them up but then there’s always anti mould paint!!

I issue tenants with house notes which include a copy of the local council’s notice to council tenants on the issue of condensation and mould. It just is not read but allows me to refer to it when I bill them for damage.

Reply to the comment left by Anthony Hill at 30/09/2024 – 11:17
Interesting.
You probably can already, however the Ts who allow mould are possibly the least likley to have the assets to pay any judgement.
However a CCJ may chsnge thinking

Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 30/09/2024 – 12:47
I installed passive airvents (modern version of old fashioned airbrick at the top of an outside wall in a room) and the darling tenant reported me to Environmental Health for causing a draught!
Thankfully I managed to persuade EH to do an inspection, even though they said they only inspect when asked to by tenants not landlords. They found that it was “tenants lifestyle” and nothing more I could do.
Tenant was not a happy bunny

Been doing it for years . Either a tenant will try or do nothing blaming the world.

I give them an information sheet on how to prevent mould condensation.

I have a house let out for years no issue . New tenant moves in months later mould. Talk to tenant explain how to prevent.
Tenant always say windows open from 7 am to midnight. Really I past several times lately no window open.

I had someone explain to tenant the electric used on gas boiler is minimum . They had been knocking it off at wall every time. 45 mins . Tenant leaving after 18 months blaming me for the mental and traumatic help of Thier family.
Just waiting on the solicitors letter.