free cavity wall insulation for tenants on benefits???

want2bmortgage3

thanks again for more great advice with buying things like tumble dryers is it worth buying the cheapest model new (£200) so you get at least a years warranty, or buying cheaper say off ebay for £100 but having no warranty and it being a couple of years old?? any views on this? my fridge freezer, oven, hob, dishwasher are all 1-2 years old and washing machine about 3. all bought new and the washing machin is the only appliance that's needed a repair under warranty.

Soot2006

I too go for the once a day blast of ventilation, esp in this cold weather there is a lot of condensation and it can get stuffy inside ...

Heating switched off -- window opened, internal doors opened and sometime back door too ...

Go out with dog for 25 minutes, come back to a dry but freezing house - 10 minutes of heating and its snug, whereas without the ventilation it actually takes me longer to heat it to a good level and it sometimes can feel humid. This works really well for us and am being good about doing it every day (+ it's SO cold outside that the house feels warm anyway when I get back from my walk! Healthy living lol) ...

Fire_Fox

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

thanks firefox - daily ventilation sounds like a good idea, even if its just open all the windows wide for 5 mins each day right ?? i do know how easily the property can get damp and a tumble dryer improved things for me, i just took it with me when i moved out! i did leave a dishwasher though.

i could get a bigger dehumidifier but they can be noisy and i think would be easy for a tenant to forget to switch it on, plus its affecting more than one room. other than clothes drying i can only think of the kitchen as another source of condensation. the extractor fan doesnt vent outside as it was a bigger job than expected at the time (tiles on the outside of where the ducting would go out). i did sort out the bathroom though and bought a powerful extractor fan which comes on 2 mins after the lights on and stays on a while after.

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

thanks again for more great advice with buying things like tumble dryers is it worth buying the cheapest model new (£200) so you get at least a years warranty, or buying cheaper say off ebay for £100 but having no warranty and it being a couple of years old?? any views on this? my fridge freezer, oven, hob, dishwasher are all 1-2 years old and washing machine about 3. all bought new and the washing machin is the only appliance that's needed a repair under warranty.

As Soot2006 says one blast through once or twice a day works wonders. I often leave the windows open for an hour or so as that is convenient, I do so whilst I am cleaning (get hot!) or if I nip to the supermarket. Five minutes twice a day should be fine tho.

Condensation is caused by air drying laundry, showering/ bathing, breathing and cooking. Tumble dryer will only solve one issue tho it may be the biggie, I don't know the family's lifestyle.

If you buy a second hand tumble dryer you will need to have it PAT tested immediately, or whatever the modern equivalent is. Not sure what the cost implications are so ask your tame electrician! :money:

An alternative to a dehumidifier is one of these which were recommended on another part of the board:
http://www.nuaire.co.uk/Product/Residential_Products/Positive_Input_Ventilation
There wouldn't be an issue with noise or the tenant remembering to switch it on, and they don't look to be prohibitively expensive either. If you get one, please let me know if the product is effective as I am seriously thinking of it myself.

My final thought is to confirm all arrangements in writing - that you have looked at the problem and agree the damp is condensation, that you have provided some information about how to reduce it, that you have provided a dehumidifer and they have agreed to use it, that you will check with them again in four weeks. This will be useful back up in case of a deposit dispute.

PasturesNew

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

thanks , as i know the property is vunerable to damp from the slightest bit of condensation , i am going to buy a tumble dryer for the tenant. as well as this though i will print out some information on condensation for the tenant to read.

For about £15-20 you can get a box that attaches to the end of the tumble drier hose, if it's not permanently attached to a proper vent that goes outside.

Here's an MSE discussion about this sort of box: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=108924

silvercar

Before buying a tumble dryer speak to the tenant. Lots of people avoid using tumble dryers due to the high electric usage.

Gorgeous_George

We use the tumble dryer when it is not possible to dry outside. It is healthier and probably cheaper than drying inside.

Our dryer is in the garage which is great in the summer but it would proivide some heat if it was inside in the winter months when it is used more often.

I had one tenant who ran a basic tumble dryer (non-condensing) in an unventilated room. He complained about the damp! It took me about three days to redecorate the one room after he left.

Some good tips about airing your home. Please try them - you will save money and have less illness.

GG