Mould is a common problem that can cause health issues and damage to properties. As a landlord, it's important to take proactive steps to prevent and address mould issues in your rental properties.
Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture. Moisture in buildings can be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames. In a newly built home damp can occur if the water used when the house was built is still drying out. The usual suspect for the cause of mould within your home is prolonged condensation. Continuous condensation problems are usually accompanied by black mould.
Mould can be bad for your health because it produces allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxins that can cause reactions in humans. These reactions can range from mild symptoms such as sneezing and red eyes to more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chronic fatigue. Additionally, some types of mould can produce mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds that can cause serious health problems if they are inhaled or ingested. Long-term exposure to mould can also lead to the development of respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies.
So it’s super important to eradicate this issue when it arises.
One of the most effective ways to prevent mould is to control moisture levels. This can be done by ensuring that the property is properly insulated and ventilated, as well as by fixing any leaks or water damage as soon as they are discovered. There are great products such as envirovent that can assist you in this.
Without good airflow in your home, excess moisture may appear on your walls, windows and floors. To increase circulation, open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and open doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms they're in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mould at bay. Ventilation removes moist air from the building through extractor fans and encourages air to move more freely through the building.
When mould spores land on a damp surface, they can begin to grow and multiply. By reducing the humidity levels, you can prevent the growth of mould.
Proper ventilation can also help to remove mould spores and other contaminants from the air, which can help to improve indoor air quality. This can be achieved by installing vents and fans in areas of the home or building that are prone to mould growth, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Additionally, ventilation can help to prevent mould by controlling temperature and moisture levels. For example, keeping the temperature in your home or building warm and dry can help to prevent the growth of mould.
Another important step landlords can take is to educate their tenants about the risks of mould and how to prevent it. This might include providing information on proper ventilation and moisture control, as well as tips for cleaning and maintaining the property.
Landlords will benefit from creating a system for dealing with mould complaints from tenants. Implementing a property management system such as GoTenant will ensure your tenants can report any issues directly to you with photographic evidence making it easier for you to take action.
GoTenant is a great way to manage your maintenance issues. Tenants are provided with a tenant app where they receive a log in whenever they are checked into their room / property on the system. They can then report an issue through their login and this will pop up in the landlord's dashboard.
You will then be able to provide the tenant with updates via the app under the reported issue. Having an audit trail with the date and time the issue was reported, as well as the ability to provide updates to the tenant, makes it easier to arrange a plan of action to get the issue sorted.
To find out more on GoTenant and how we can help you with your maintenance issues, as well as the management of your properties and tenants click here to sign up for a free 28 day trial.
It’s important to establish a clear process for tenants to report mould issues. This way tenants can report a mould problem rather than leaving it to get worse, creating more work for you.
You should then ensure you have procedures in place for dealing with complaints / issues and ensure mould gets sorted promptly.
You may find that mould causes tenants to hand in their notice and vacate the property. This is obviously something you want to avoid as it will reduce your income for your business.
Tenants may leave a property if there is mould for a number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons include:
Health concerns: Many people are sensitive to mould and can experience symptoms such as allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems when exposed to it.
Unpleasant odours: Mould can produce a musty or damp smell that can be unpleasant and difficult to get rid of.
Damage to personal property: Mould can cause damage to personal property, such as clothing and furniture, which can be costly to replace.
Difficulty in finding a solution: Tenants may leave a property if they feel that the landlord is not taking the mould problem seriously or is not taking steps to address it effectively.
It’s a good idea to conduct regular property inspections, to identify and address any potential mould issues before they become a problem. This might include checking for leaks, moisture levels, and signs of mould growth.
Finally, landlords should be prepared to take action when mould is discovered. This might include scheduling repairs and cleaning, as well as providing temporary housing or other assistance to affected tenants.
In summary, landlords can prevent and address mould issues by controlling moisture levels, educating tenants, conducting regular inspections, establishing a clear process for reporting mould issues, and taking appropriate action when mould is discovered. By implementing a Property Management System, landlords can ensure all of the above are ticked off, making properties safe and healthy for their tenants.