Understanding your responsibility as a landlord
Ridgewater Energy have published a comprehensive guide and checklist for Landlords. Below is a summary of key points from their guide. For the full guide and additional details, please visit the Ridgewater Energy website.
What Causes Condensation?
Condensation occurs when warm, moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces like windows, tiles, or external walls. This leads to water droplets forming, which can result in smelly black mould, potential health issues, and damage to clothes, furniture, and other household items.
Condensation can affect all types of homes, whether modern and insulated or older and draughty. Key contributors include:
Daily activities like drying clothes indoors (10-15 litres of moisture per week) and showering (20 litres per week).
A family of four producing up to 30-40 litres of moisture weekly through breathing.
Types of Damp
Penetrating Damp:
Caused by external water entering the home through:
Damaged roofs or walls with bad pointing.
Leaky or blocked drainpipes.
Plumbing defects, often under sinks or baths.
Rising Damp:
Found on ground-floor walls due to:
A faulty or missing damp-proof course.
Both types often leave tidemarks or water stains on walls and ceilings.
Mould Growth
Mould develops when airborne spores germinate on damp surfaces, showing as black spots. To remove mould safely:
Use products approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR).
Follow the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines: HSE Biocides.
Responsibilities of Landlords
Landlords must adhere to regulations ensuring properties are safe and habitable, including:
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS): Addresses hazards like property disrepair and excess cold.
Fitness for Human Habitation Standards: Ensures rented homes meet basic safety and living standards.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards: Requires properties to meet current energy efficiency levels, promoting better insulation and heating.
Recommended Actions for Landlords:
Respond promptly and sensitively to reports of damp and mould.
Address underlying causes and conduct follow-up inspections.
Improve ventilation, energy efficiency, and building maintenance to prevent recurrence.
Health Risks of Damp and Mould
Groups at Higher Risk:
People with lung or heart conditions, weakened immune systems, or mental health issues.
Pregnant women and young children.
Elderly individuals and those with mobility challenges.
Vulnerable Housing Situations:
Homes with inadequate insulation or heating.
Poorly ventilated or overcrowded homes.
Temporary accommodations or those with structural deficiencies.
Landlords should act urgently to mitigate risks, avoid waiting for medical evidence, and ensure clear, compassionate communication with tenants.