Landlord mould advice...

mmunro2013

As a landlord I am trying to address mould in a 1980-90 terraced property. The tenant is in situ. I have 'educated' them WRT ventilation etc. However I am really struggling to know where to go to for trustworthy advice. I am thinking additional loft insulation and cavity wall insulation etc. but not really sure. The tenant may be eligible for grants, however not broached this with them yet. I understand the EC04 and GBIS schemes are now closed. Any advice welcome? 

Nearlyold

Where is the mould/damp appearing? Have you established if the property is watertight?

theartfullodger

Forced ventilation (fan that can't be turned off) and PAY for heating for a month.  Expect dramatic improvement. 

Baldytyke88

mmunro2013 said:

As a landlord I am trying to address mould in a 1980-90 terraced property. The tenant is in situ. I have 'educated' them WRT ventilation etc. However I am really struggling to know where to go to for trustworthy advice. I am thinking additional loft insulation and cavity wall insulation etc. but not really sure. The tenant may be eligible for grants, however not broached this with them yet. I understand the EC04 and GBIS schemes are now closed. Any advice welcome? 

The scale of damp-related problems linked to cavity wall insulation is so serious that an MP is calling for an independent inquiry to improve protection for householders.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-10390579/Botched-cavity-wall-insulation-ruining-homes-causing-damp-mould.html

Yorkie1

Although it doesn't solve the issue at source, would the tenant be capable of, and amenable to, using a dehumidifier if you provided one?

mmunro2013

Nearlyold said:

Where is the mould/damp appearing? Have you established if the property is watertight?

Property is watertight, mould/damp appearing in the bedroom upstairs. Open plan downstairs (lounge and kitchen) and open stairwell to the upstairs

mmunro2013

Yorkie1 said:

Although it doesn't solve the issue at source, would the tenant be capable of, and amenable to, using a dehumidifier if you provided one?

Tenant has a 12L capacity dehumidifier already in the property. Not sure how it is used or where located.

mmunro2013

theartfullodger said:

Forced ventilation (fan that can't be turned off) and PAY for heating for a month.  Expect dramatic improvement. 

Will look into forced ventilation... not heard of this before

mmunro2013

Baldytyke88 said:

mmunro2013 said:

As a landlord I am trying to address mould in a 1980-90 terraced property. The tenant is in situ. I have 'educated' them WRT ventilation etc. However I am really struggling to know where to go to for trustworthy advice. I am thinking additional loft insulation and cavity wall insulation etc. but not really sure. The tenant may be eligible for grants, however not broached this with them yet. I understand the EC04 and GBIS schemes are now closed. Any advice welcome? 

The scale of damp-related problems linked to cavity wall insulation is so serious that an MP is calling for an independent inquiry to improve protection for householders.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-10390579/Botched-cavity-wall-insulation-ruining-homes-causing-damp-mould.html

TBH this is something that makes us nervous about going down this route... who do you trust?

Mr.Generous

Is there a fan in the bathroom? Does it work? Do they use it? Same for kitchen cooker hood. If tenant dries laundry in the home (and everyone does) then the De-humidifier needs to be used, and not - like one of my tenants - "Yeah I have it on for an hour every day" it needs to be on at least 12 hours a day but far better if 24 hr.