Preventing Mould in Vacant Properties

Preventing Mould in Vacant Properties

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

As all landlords and letting agents know, there are occasions where rental properties may be left vacant for a time.  Student properties may be unoccupied during the summer, while other homes may be vacant due to gaps in tenancy.

During these periods, it is important for the landlord to ensure that the property remains in a habitable state, and to prevent issues like damp or mould developing that could be damaging to the property and the health of future tenants.

Taking steps to prevent mould in vacant properties reduces the amount of maintenance necessary ahead of a new tenancy and protects the structure in the long term. 

Mould growth normally occurs in situations where the environment is damp or cool, so preventing mould in vacant properties means taking steps to reduce humidity levels and ensure that the property is well ventilated.

Regular maintenance checks

During tenancy gaps, it is common for routine maintenance of a rental property to take place to prepare it for new residents. 

Penetrating damp can sometimes go undetected, so regular maintenance checks to find any leaking pipes, or unsealed gaps around windows will help you find any points where moisture could be getting into the property and causing damp patches where mould can grow. 

Regular visits to the vacant property, particularly after a period of rain can help you spot any changes in the fabric of the building and take steps to rectify any problems before new tenants move in.

Ensure good ventilation

A key challenge with ensuring good air flow in a vacant property is the need to maintain good security when no-one is present.  It is unwise to leave windows open or on the latch to allow natural airflow, and while regular visits to air the property are possible, this is often inconvenient, particularly if the house is empty for longer periods.

Whole house ventilation systems such as the EnviroVent ATMOS system use a technique called Positive Input Ventilation in which fresh filtered air is drawn into the building at roof level and then gently distributed into rooms to displace the stale air.

This constant airflow maintains low humidity levels and prevents condensation and damp from leading to mould growth.

It is good practice to ensure that any cupboards or fitted wardrobes in the property are left open between tenancies – this stops stale air from accumulating where moisture can build up to create damp.

Positive Input Ventilation systems (PIV) are extremely energy efficient and can run 24 hours a day without generating large electricity bills.  They also benefit the property when occupied by circulating humid air from cooking and cleaning out of the building to stop mould for tenants.

Find out more

New responsibilities for landlords mean that issues with mould and damp need to be dealt with more quickly, so preventing these issues from arising in the first place will help you avoid expensive repair bills in the long term.

Our local specialists can help you to ensure that your properties are well ventilated and prevent mould problems delaying new tenants from moving in.  Find an expert in your area by entering your postcode below and book a home survey to identify the causes of condensation and find the best way to deal with them.