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How To Deal With Winter Mould Problems

The UK can be a damp place to live and at this time of the year, we get a lot of cold rain. No matter where you are in the UK, you are bound to experience mould problems in your student accommodation. How do you deal with it? And whose responsibility is it? Believe it or not, the second question is often the major flashpoint in relationships between tenant and landlord.

 

Whose Responsibility is Mould?

This is a complex question with no clear black or white answer. In some ways, both are responsible. As the landlord, you are responsible for ensuring that damp mitigation is up to legal standards. It is your responsibility to ensure that the accommodation is fit to live in in terms of its structure. The main cause of mould is condensation where warm air (for example, from the oven) meets cold air from other areas and outside. It’s a problem in areas of poor ventilation in old buildings; in newer buildings, energy efficiency creates the same problem as the materials reduce the amount of moisture escape.

In that respect, it is partly the responsibility of the tenants to ensure adequate ventilation where it is available and utilise them to ensure the building remains free of damp.

 

How To Mitigate Mould Problems

There are some simple tips to follow for you as the landlord and for your student tenants. When it comes to the structure of the building, you are responsible. There is nothing you can do about tenant lifestyle. However, you can and should help them to prevent mould and reduce condensation.

 

Ensure Ventilation Works

Modern bathrooms and kitchens have ventilators. These can acquire dust and dirt over time and become less efficient. Keeping the exterior clean is the responsibility of your tenants, but they are not obliged to do anything more technical than this. If the extractor fans are not working properly, then you should get them repaired and cleaned.

 

By Martin Grube (This image is from the FEMA Photo Library.)
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Provide Information on Condensation Reduction

As discussed above, both new and older buildings are prone to condensation that could cause mould. The reasons for this differ depending on the age of the building (newer buildings are too efficient and keep damp in, older buildings are inefficient at keeping moisture out). Therefore, it is in everybody’s best interests that you discuss potential problems with your student tenants. A booklet or “Tenant’s Guide” would be helpful. It should contain information such as:

 

  • Keep windows open on mild winter days. Ideally, leave kitchen and bathroom windows open all the time (but close it when the house will be empty)
  • Get into a routine of wiping the windows with a cloth and wring it out afterwards
  • Dry your laundry outside and not on radiators. This is a major source of damp
  • Keep as many internal doors open as possible and let air circulate