What Extractor Fans Are Required in Rental Properties
By Ruth MacEachern
Product Manager
Nov 20, 2024
In the UK, landlords are required to ensure that their rental properties have adequate ventilation to maintain good indoor air quality and prevent issues such as damp and mould.
In recent years there has been increased awareness of the responsibilities of landlords when it comes to providing high quality homes for their tenants. These responsibilities cover both the type of ventilation that is required and how the landlord needs to work with their tenants to maintain those standards.
Legal requirements for ventilation in UK rented properties
Requirements for ventilation are laid out in two separate documents:
- Approved Document F of the Building Regulations: This document gives guidance on the ventilation requirements for buildings, including rented homes. It specifies the need for adequate ventilation to maintain indoor air quality and prevent condensation and mould growth.
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018: This act of parliament requires landlords to ensure that their properties are fit for human habitation, which includes providing effective ventilation. Properties must be free from damp and mould, and landlords are responsible for addressing any ventilation issues. In recent years, this act has been expanded to specify how landlords should resolve issues as soon as practical after they have been notified.
Requirements for extractor fans
Extractor fans are essential for removing moisture and pollutants from specific areas in a property. Building regulations specify that appropriate fans must be fitted in the following rooms:
- Bathrooms: Bathrooms must have mechanical extract ventilation (extractor fans) to remove moisture and prevent condensation. The fans should be capable of extracting at least 15 litres of air per second to reduce humidity.
- Kitchens: Kitchens must also have mechanical extract ventilation to remove cooking fumes and moisture. Kitchen extractor fans should be more powerful to reflect the larger size of the room and be able to extract at least 30 litres per second if installed over a hob, or 60 litres per second if installed elsewhere in the kitchen.
The benefits of good ventilation
Adequate ventilation systems reduce the humidity and improve air quality in a home. Lower humidity levels stop condensation from forming, and in turn this prevents damp and mould from developing.
The cost to repair damp can be prohibitive, and the presence of mould can be damaging to the health of residents.
Health and safety considerations
Landlords must ensure that all ventilation systems are properly maintained and in good working order. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure that extractor fans and ventilation systems are effective in preventing damp and mould and maintaining good indoor air quality.
By adhering to these requirements, landlords can ensure that their properties are safe, healthy, and compliant with UK regulations. Proper ventilation not only protects the health of tenants but also helps to preserve the condition of the property.
Find out more
If you are a landlord, it is essential that your properties meet the standards required for ventilation. Our local ventilation specialists can help you understand your responsibilities and advise about whether your current ventilation systems are sufficient. Contact us today to book a survey.
