Landlords should not be so quick to lay the blame for problems caused by damp and mould on tenants, and instead use new tools to tackle issues.
Common problems in rented properties are all too often dismissed as being due to ‘tenant lifestyle issues’, according to Tessa Shepperson at Landlord Law Services (right). However, she says this is not always the case, as a property which is well insulated, with double glazed windows, a tumble dryer vented outside, and proper ventilation, is unlikely to have serious damp issues.
Her comments come as the Property Ombudsman reveals that many of the 719 agents it surveyed recognised the consequences of damp and mould but believed they were often linked to tenant activities, such as not using extractor fans during cooking and bathing, drying laundry, insufficient ventilation and heating.
Landlord Law Services has launched a Dealing with Damp kit for Landlord Law members based on training provided by environmental health officer Paul FitzGerald along with a checklist to help landlords deal with damp in their properties.
“The best time to deal with any physical issues with property is when it is empty as it is then much easier to investigate problems and carry out works,” says Shepperson. “We have now published a major upgrade to our Landlord Law service to help landlords deal with this task.”
The kit looks at each section of the checklist and provides an explanatory video taken from the training webinar and is only available to Landlord Law Business Level members but the checklist is free.
As part of the Renters’ Rights Bill, new regulations under Awaab’s Law are set to come in, imposing timescales for investigation and resolution on landlords when tenants tell them about damp and mould issues. The Property Ombudsman has also published new guidelines for renters, landlords and agents designed to spot the signs of condensation, damp and mould as well as to give preventative tips and advice on reporting issues.
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