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Landlords warned not to delay talking to tenants about mould

The Deposit Protection Service is warning landlords not to delay discussions about damp and mould until the end of the tenancies.

DPS managing director Matt Trevett comments: “The circumstances that lead to damp or mould developing can vary: if the problem is structural, the onus may be on the landlord to find a solution but, if the issue is caused by tenant behaviour, the tenants may need to change their approach.

“We’d always encourage tenants and landlords to discuss how best to address damp, mould or any other issue in order to find a solution together rather than waiting until after renters move out.”

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The DPS said it anticipates an increase in tenants moving property this spring following the Government’s lifting of pandemic-related restrictions.

The organisation has also provided four key guidelines landlords can use to inform discussions about damp and mould inside a property:

 

1: Tenants should immediately report if the property has damp or mould - This will give a landlord the chance to remedy or improve the situation and improve renters’ comfort in the property

2: Dispassionately discuss the amount of damp and mould in the property - A very small amount of damp or mould in a room, while requiring some remedy, does not mean that tenants can claim to live rent free at a property

3: An information leaflet might not be appropriate - We have seen cases where landlords or agents who noticed evidence of damp during an inspection have simply handed the tenant a leaflet on ventilation, heating and avoiding condensation; without first checking the cause

 4: Act if the issue is your responsibility - While some damp and mould problems can be solved by tenants’ adapting different behaviour, for example, improving ventilation to rooms with tumble driers, landlords should recognise when the issue needs their involvement to resolve, such as structural changes

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

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    I talk to tenants about mould as soon as I know, telling them to open windows, keep rooms heated and dry clothes outside on lines provided.

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    • D G
    • 30 March 2022 10:30 AM

    Tenants are given a leaflet about mould control on check-in as standard. If it develops during the tenancy they are advised on how to control it. If necessary leak detection is carried out. All this and the DPS still come down on the side of the tenant when all the evidence has been supplied to them.

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    We advise - Closed windows, whilst wet/damp laundry hanging on radiators is the perfect recipe for mould and damp BUT, do all tenants take heed, NO!

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    We can explain and discuss the importance of ventilation and how damaging mould is to both their health and our buildings.
    Then they see an article about draught proofing their home to save a couple of quid on the gas bill and every word we have said is instantly forgotten. Trickle vents shut, extractor fans disabled, ventilation grills blocked, wet washing hung all over the house and then the phone calls and texts about damp problems and the house being defective.

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    I have an old property that for years tenants had complained about damp, present tenants, 2 guys late 50s been there around 4 years, no problems, come summer or winter during the day up stairs bedroom windows always open.

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    The Victorians built good quality houses with built in draughts through open fireplaces, gaps round windows, under doors etc.

    Modern hermetically sealed plastic clad boxes breed germs, damp and mould.

    Incidentally the Victorians also had capital punishment and corporal punishment in schools and bred several generations who worked hard, built the vital sewage, bridge and railway infrastructures still in use today and won two world wars.

    Today's young adult generation have no sanctions for bad behaviour or sloppy work standards and build bridges and houses which need pulled down in a few years.

    The only reason why I am glad I wasn't born in Victorian times is the fact I'd be dead now!

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    There was still corporal punishment when I went to school, I had the slipper across my backside many a time, never done me any harm, in fact I believe I'm better for it.

     
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    In Scotland we had the Lochgelly "tawse", a leather belt about 3 to 4 cm wide, maximum of six strokes allowed to one hand. It really hurt but was good for discipline.

    It's now illegal for Scottish parents to physically punish their children and the effects are only too obvious in bad behaviour and lack of care in everything with no interest or pride in doing things properly.

     
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    Mario Mario, who is going to take the Government to Court, keep well clear of Chancery Lane, Chancery Chambers or Judicial Reviews unless you are made of money at prepared to loose, Landlords can’t even challenge the local Council, so always pleads guilty or fines and Penalties double. I will leave it at that.

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    I did reply to you Mario in detail but wouldn’t see or blocked

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    Gina Miller was a front for the very rich and had massive establishment backing. Never her money on the line, that's what l believe.

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