How Landlords can reduce Condensation and Mould Complaints in Winter

How Landlords can reduce Condensation and Mould Complaints in Winter

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

One of the biggest challenges for landlords in preventing the development of mould in rented properties is communication with tenants.  When tenants ignore the early signs of condensation and fail to mention it to their landlord, they give damp a foothold in the property that can make remedial work more complex and expensive than it would otherwise be.

The main cause of condensation in properties is inadequate ventilation and heating.   During the winter, when people spend more time indoors, this creates higher levels of humidity, which in turn leads to higher moisture levels around the home.  The amount of moisture created by an average household is high – four people create around 112 pints of moisture each week.  During colder weather when windows are closed, this moisture is often trapped in the house where it forms into condensation on walls and windows.

The best thing that a landlord can do is to instruct tenants to seek out condensation as early as possible so that they can take precautions.

How Tenants Can Prevent Condensation

There are simple tips to follow that can reduce humidity and ultimately condensation in any home.

Washing and Cleaning

• Ensure that washing machines and tumble driers are properly vented.
• Dry clothes outside, and if that is not possible, try and leave a window open in the room where you are hanging clothes.
• Close the internal doors of the room where your washing machine is, and when washing dishes to prevent moisture escaping into the rest of the house.

Cooking

• Cover pans with a lid when cooking to contain steam
• Always use the over-hob fan when cooking and leave it running for 15 minutes or more after you finish.
• Close kitchen doors when cooking to prevent steam and food odours to permeate through the house.
• Open your kitchen window when cooking.

Showering and Bathing

• Turn on extractor fans when taking a shower or bath.
• Ensure that bathroom doors are closed when bathing to prevent steam escaping into cooler rooms.
• Wipe down wet surfaces after you have finished bathing to reduce the amount of moisture present.

General Tips for Mould and Damp Prevention

• Avoid overfilling cupboards and wardrobes as this allows air to sit undisturbed and helps mould colonies to develop.
• Keep furniture at least 50mm (2 inches) away from external walls to prevent air from becoming trapped near cold surfaces.
• Cover fish tanks to prevent heat loss and put plants outside regularly.
• Keep temperatures constant in your home by regularly using the heating to prevent cold spots where condensation can form developing.
• Keep windows in well used rooms slightly open to improve ventilation – particularly if you have several people in the room at the same time.
• Ensure that your ventilation systems are adequate for the size of the house and that extractor fans are well maintained to ensure that they are running efficiently.

Do you Have Problems with Damp and Mould in Your Rental Properties?

If you or your tenants have discovered condensation, damp, or mould, it is important to act as quickly as possible to reduce damage to the property and protect health.  Book a free home ventilation survey from one of our local specialists, and they will be able to advise you about the best actions to take.