A national trade body is calling for more regulation to shield people from the dangers of damp and mould in homes.
The Property Care Association says more needs to be done to ensure that ventilation systems operate effectively in protecting properties and residents from the unsightly and unhealthy problems caused by excess moisture indoors.
Chief executive Sarah Garry says: “There’s a great deal of attention paid to factors such as vehicle emissions on air quality, but we want people to think about their homes too.
“We often hear of people’s lives being blighted by the presence of mould and poor indoor air quality in properties. Such conditions can exacerbate respiratory illness, affect mental health, diminish comfort and increase the cost of heating. Sadly, there can even be fatal consequences.”
Garry says effective ventilation has a vital part to play in controlling the issue, but there are too many cases where installations are carried out by well-meaning contractors who simply do not have any understanding of ventilation, or the various regulations and guidance documents.
She continues: “This is coupled with few building control checks or enforcement action taken to ensure ventilation is installed that is fit for purpose. This has huge repercussions for residents. In 2020, research amongst PCA members revealed that they believed fewer than 30% of installations complied with Building Regulations.
“We hope the catalyst for change will be the new Building Safety Act, which should put greater emphasis on best practice, and require anyone carrying out design, construction and refurbishment work to be competent in their roles.
“However, such is the seriousness of ventilation and indoor air quality that we need to see the issue covered at a national policy level, with an agreed framework and robust reporting structures in place to deliver healthier homes and buildings.”
Garry says only this will give the public confidence that measures are in place to ensure they have the right ventilation system installed, and ultimately significantly reduce the impact of damp and mould.
Measures to combat damp and mould - as part of an energy efficiency package - were announced by Labour earlier this week as part of a pitch for support at the General Election on July 4; meanwhile the National Residential Landlords Association is introducing a new energy efficiency retrofitting course this summer ahead of EPC rule tightening should Labour form the next government.
The association says its course is open to non-members as well as members.
The course will offer practical advice for landlords on how to lower fuel bills, and tackle damp and mould as well as offering an in-depth look at systems for insulation, heating, ventilation, and renewables.
Last year Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that he was abandoning plans to introduce a minimum EPC rating of C in all rental properties by 2028 although there is a high expectation that if the Conservatives win the election - unlikely as that seems in the light of opinion polls - they will return to the subject.
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Of course ventilation is important but how exactly are we supposed to ensure tenants use it correctly?
How many times have we all seen trickle vents firmly shut, extractor fans turned off at the isolator, air vents covered over with plastic or cardboard? Usually in the houses that have clothes airers all over the house with tons of wet washing hung on them.
Wet washing hung on clothes airers, Jo? You are fortunate. Usually it’s draped over the radiators. 😂
Solving the ventilation issue is fairly simple. The answer is to include unlimited gas and electricity in the rent. The flats are then warm, dry and well ventilated.
The problem of the clothes' airers still exists to an extent, as does drying everything on the radiators. I would aim to replace all washing machines with washer dryers, but I think I might sell up because I don't think I can operate within a Labour legislative framework.
However, having said, Reform is up five points in the latest opinion poll. Both Reform and the Conservatives are on 19. Reform seems to have gained votes at the expense of the Conservatives and LibDems. Once support for Reform rises to between 20% and 30% they would win a significant number of seats. Can they take them from Labour?
Open the window you dummies! That’s what previous generations have always done.
It’s never the tenants fault you know!
Ironically, it it things like well fitting UPVC windows to improve EPC's that stop all draughts. As a kid the house we lived in had very leaky windows so high humidity was never a problem.
A trade body eh 😂😂😂 so attempting to drum up business 💰💰💰👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I have this at present, 2 bathrooms with large windows - tenant does not open windows = mould in the hallway where hot moist air meets cold. Leeds Council with their properties have a web list of 'MUST DO' things to avoid mould. I can see my tenants are not doing this list ... Maybe Govt. should introduce such lists for all sectors of tenant not juts council
They won’t heat the house in winter only one room because the peoples ‘champion’ Martin Lewis has told them to. They won’t ventilate the house by opening windows. They then put their wet clothes on the radiators. They turn off isolators to fans. They block vents. They take on a two bed house but all of a sudden 4 kids are living there. The people’s champion then advises how to frustrate S21 and S13 to fight off the unnecessary damage. The gov then pushes a completely ridiculous net zero policy and forces us to remortgage & spend thousands to attain an EPC level which actually makes this whole problem worse. Angela Rayner proudly declares she will stop us from evicting tenants that don’t know how to live with any standards and we will probably get fined if we dare to complain to the tenant that they are responsible for this.
Well those that tenants don’t ventilate and use the house as a clothes dryer etc etc - majority can’t even afford to heat their homes - so we as landlords get the blame for it don’t we !
Of course they can afford to heat their homes. What do you think UC and all the cost of living handouts are for? Some of them choose to spend the money on other things like alcohol, tattoos, gambling, false nails, etc but that's their choice of spending priorities, not an affordability issue. Two of my UC tenants heat their flats to somewhere near tropical and one of them is on a key meter so it's clearly affordable if being warm and comfortable is a priority. Energy companies wrote off huge amounts of utility debt last year, so it's not even that paying for it was essential in a lot of cases.
Jahan's right about Martin Lewis being part of the problem. Some of the rubbish he comes up with (and other influencers) is insane. Why do gullible people believe every word they say?
The regulations should include provisions for educating tenants on proper home maintenance, particularly regarding ventilation practices, such as the importance of regularly opening windows to prevent damp, condensation, and mould.
Additionally, mid-term inspection clerks should be granted enhanced authority to document and report compliance or non-compliance by both landlords and tenants concerning issues of damp, condensation, and mould. This should be integrated into their official inspection reports.
Local borough councils should establish a dedicated contact number and email address specifically for landlords to report tenant behaviours that contribute to the creation of damp, mould, and condensation.
Furthermore, tenants should be required to attend training and awareness courses focused on the prevention and management of damp, condensation, and mould within their homes.
By implementing these measures, we can ensure a more proactive and informed approach to maintaining healthy living environments and hold both landlords and tenants accountable for their responsibilities.
I think the Tenants need the "Course":
Day 1: what is condensation or "does it rain inside?"
Day2: how to open a window
Day 3:how not to dry sopping wet clothes on every radiator and hung from every curtain pole
Day 4: how to wipe down wet surfaces after showering or cooking
Day 5: how to turn up the heating
All this for just £XXX.00.
I’ve had to resort to educating a tenant that they need to use a higher spin speed to dry the washing if they insist on using the radiators AND it won’t spin properly if they don’t clean the filter. The answer is always ‘what filter’
With EPC C back on the table, how much more damp will be caused by external insulation of properties that were built to breathe?
Insulation will cause a lot of problems especially in old homes. Old homes were built to breathe as you say and blocking that will simply lead to problems especially with tenants who don't care and won't open windows.
Ventilation systems? You mean open the windows. It's funny how rental properties suffer from damp and mould but owner occupied houses don't.
That idiot Starmer attacked landlords yesterday. ''They're making a forture''. Idiot. He has no idea the nonsense we put up with and how difficult this business is.
It was funny watching state propagandist the bbc push its plants into the crowd, a load of left wing nutters. Strange how everyone I meet barely share those views. The vast majority of English people (I don't know about Scots and Welsh) share the views of Nigel Farage in my opinion. However, for some reason, something strange about this country, people are afraid to express it in a democratic way. Everyone wants a sensible immigration policy (less than 100k per year), wants to preserve British culture, wants the law to be tough on the real criminals, wants good social systems/safety net but not abuse and benefits cheats. I don't know why there isn't a government out there that can give us that.
In dream world, everyone would own their own home, but we don't live in a dream world and 30% to 40% of the population will always rent. The government is involving itself far too much in that arrangement leading to total disaster right now.
I watched that last night, too, and thought that Kier Starmer was out of touch with the reality of the private rental sector. Too many people are ready to interfere without understanding what they are doing.
Has Sir Kneel shared those thoughts with his landlord colleagues like David Lammy for instance?
I was appalled by Starmers attitude to landlords. Especially as the previous Labour government presided over the Golden Age of BTL and really seemed to understand that a healthy PRS was good for tenants.
I've had this complaint twice, first one was a new renovation on an old terrace that included full damp work. Plaster was back to brick and re-done with plastering sand, portland cement and a damp proofer - after the injection course. I was alarmed when tenant said outside wall was dripping damp. When asked they didn't dry washing inside, and when I said it's all to do with heating and ventilation they said they dont use the heating.:)
A quick drive down to the house and there was a huge washing maiden in the lounge in front of the radiator. Doors and windows were closed.
Second tenant complained about mould around the windows upstairs, and it happened in their last place too!! Long showers, wont use the fan because they don't like the noise, and if you open the windows it's too cold. The heating was used in this house - to dry the washing of course.
What a shame they split up and vacated, no issues since.
Maybe the regulations need to include fines for those causing mold and damaging homes!!
Dani, Starmer is correct in one regard: the Private Rented Sector (PRS), valued at £1.3 trillion, is indeed lucrative. However, landlords are not reaping commensurate financial benefits. Instead, we are often portrayed as pawns and scapegoats, used to balance governmental budgets without fair compensation.
I disagree, BTL it’s not particularly lucrative it’s not the rent that makes money, rental returns both north and south maybe different but neither are dazzling by any measure. Asset appreciation (house values increasing) makes better money but is highly illiquid and when you do sell, you get a huge CGT hit which is about to get a whole lot worse no doubt!
The ‘politics of envy is misplaced’, BTL works but is no diamond mine!
The grifting by the "service providers" is off the scale these days (like the green movement and the push to installing heat pumps and solar panels). Very much like the ambulance chasing lawyers. See a problem (or make the problem), offer a solution (usually their solution)...quids in. Laughing all the way to the bank.
I acknowledge some properties have defects that definitely need works to remediate an issue but most mould issues are down to actions of tenants (or inactions) as mentioned already (not opening windows after showering, deactivating extractor fans etc).
Amazing does this association know most of it is caused by tenants, as mentioned above several times again again. May be they should call for regulation for tenants, ie use you common sense. I have lost £1000s on tenants not opening windows or drying clothes on rads. One even turned off the bathroom extractor when using shower as he admitted it cost him too much to the builder. There is no sense and then they blame the LL.
Me too. £1,000s on repairs, a defence against compensation and put a PIV in the loft too for £1k. Then Gove's anti-landlord White Paper came out and I decided no F*****g way Jose!
I have two, purpose built flats which have balconies and old, metal, double glazed sliding doors. I replaced both and immediately the mould complaints came. Advised both tenants to ventilate etc and the mould problem evaporated. 😀
So they'll start with all the damp and mouldy council properties will they? that will keep them busy for a few years
The council need to sort their own shabby properties out! My mam has a council house and has waited 18 months for them to uplift asbestos tiles that have cracked in her kitchen! As for my tenants. Omg!! I had a year of pure hell!! Never opened a window blind or curtain..blocked all vents up..heating was on 30 degrees!! Every 3 month advised her of the same things what to do as a prevention !! She eventually left and said I was responsible for her 3 kids having breathing problems! I think she is serial scammer and has done this to every
Landlord since she came into the UK. I have another tenant in now who came from
India to work here, absolutely lovely and no sight of any damp for the last 6 months, explained to her open the windows etc and all is fantastic!! Landlords need help dealing with these tenants who ruin our homes!! Rant over 😀
To be brutally honest, the only help landlords need with that kind of tenant…. Is to avoid them 👍🏻 Let the council’s house them, with what you describe of that tenant, she wouldn’t have even been offered a viewing, let alone the actual property. Keep it Gold, or go home.
I had Nigerians. 4 kids and no father(s) present. Man was there. Called the husbnd but what actually the brother. Plus their mum. Windows shut. Washing drying inside when I took a damp surveyor around. Damp surveyor tried to tell them but they literally don't listen.
Got a compensation letter to defend. On the S21 defence (thank god for that), she complains her 4 kids have got asthma along with the claim on the deposit paperwork.
Be careful who you rent to. I myself now won't rent to anyone with all this s*it going on and coming in.
All this rot won’t stop till landlords leaving passes a critical point. 2-3 more years away is my guess by which time the problem may be to obvious to ignore ……… even for numb head politicians. I live with some hope!
Hey JR,
Thanks for your perspective. Just to clarify, when I said "lucrative," I meant it sarcastically. With Section 24, high interest rates, delayed possession orders, landlord licensing, repossession issues, and landlords selling up, it's obvious the government is the only one benefiting financially.
Sure, asset appreciation can offer some returns, but it's illiquid and hit hard by capital gains tax, which is only getting worse. This is why I referenced "lucrative" — the money is clearly circulating for the government at the landlord's expense, hence the reason why I want out!
Yep, we’re on the same page👍
Call for more Regulation for Damp & Mould.
Is our Association missing out on a trick.
There you go another money stream side kick for you. A Tenant Accreditation Scheme .
Thanks for your comments Mr. Foley,
I totally agree with the need for more regulation on damp, condensation and mould. It's a big issue that we should definitely be more proactive about.
Your idea for a Tenant Accreditation Scheme is great. I've always been campaigning for some sort of accreditation for tenants, like a tenant licensing scheme or compulsory tenant insurance. This would create a more equitable ecosystem for everyone involved.
Why doesn’t the government also make tenants accountable for mould & condensation?
I installed air-bricks, dehumidifiers & PVC air vents in a flat, but the tenant still chose to never open her windows, not put the heating on and dried all her washing around the flat, obviously this resulted in so much mould & condensation all over the walls, ceiling and even some of the furniture! It was disgusting, and guess who had to sort it all out?
When she eventually left, and the flat was re-let with new responsible tenants the issue of condensation and mould has not reappeared.
So why is the landlord to blame for this?
It’s ALWAYS the greedy scrupulous landlords fault, the innocent, vulnerable tenants are blameless in all! It’s so infuriating!
Admittedly there are most definitely rogue LLS out there, but equally there are dreadful rogue tenants!
The current laws barely protect LLS and sways heavily in favour of tenants.. Being a LL is a legitimate business and it should be regulated accordingly fairly and balanced on both sides.
That was a bit of a rant Zoe, but totally true
Yes, there are Rogue LL’s out there, the Gov’s register of Rogue LLs is believed to contain the colossal number of about 100 names ( the register is not available to the public!).
In context there are 2.4 million private landlords. So, not many Rogue’s!
Thanks for sharing your concerns Zoe.
I understand your frustrations with tenants who may not fully understand their responsibilities. It’s crucial for tenants to manage ventilation and heating to prevent issues like mould and condensation.
I appreciate your proactive measures with air-bricks and dehumidifiers. It’s unfortunate some tenants neglect upkeep, causing problems LLs must address.
I agree the current legal framework can feel imbalanced. Let's advocate for fair regulations that support both LLs and tenants equally.
I've been through this. My 3 bed semi with 4 kids and 3 adults. Drying washin inside. Growing mould. Solicitors compensation letter and asthma claims too. Had to get it treated an put a £1,000 PIV in. Now she's out I don't want another tenant... It's always the landlords fault. No party wants to blame tenants for anything. Landlords are cannon fodder.
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