One issue that can be a bane for both landlords and tenants is damp and condensation. Obviously this can be a problem in any property, but it is even more of an issue in rented accommodation as the tenants might not be aware of the measures they can take to prevent mould from forming. Plus, when it does start to build up in an area of the property, many tenants might ignore it or at least fail to inform the landlord early enough so they can do something about it before it gets too bad.
Preventative Measures to Avoid Damp and Condensation
Mouldy fungus likes nothing better than a cold, damp and dark space, so landlords and homeowners need to identify these areas as soon as possible. Some windows are an obvious candidate, especially small windows with wooden frames that don’t let in an awful lot of light, either due to their positioning according to the sun or because of heavy curtains. Bathrooms and kitchens also see a lot of water usage so there are many opportunities for fungal growth in these rooms. You’ll want to check and double-check the water installations like the shower and faucets for any leaks. Also consider your utility rooms which may endure plenty of humid air thanks to a drier, boiler or other such cause.
In the kind of rooms mentioned above, an extractor fan is especially useful as it will cycle the air out to prevent it stagnating and enabling the fungal spores to take hold. Extractor fans are not the kind of appliance you can just install and then not worry about though, as you will need to ensure the settings are correct for the environment it is in while also conducting reasonably regular checks to ensure everything is in working order.
Also consider installing a ventilation vent in the roof of the house, which can help ventilate the entire property. It’s important that such a vent is installed correctly though, so conduct plenty of research and reference-checking into any firm you consider hiring for the job.
Additional Measures to Prevent Mould
Central heating radiators can also promote fungal build-up so you want them to be fitted in the right places to minimise this risk, which means fitting them to the coldest walls in the building. These will usually be the outside-facing walls. Another preventative measure is to install cladding, though this is of course an expensive task and should probably only be considered if the property is particularly prone to damp and condensation.
