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The responsibility for handling damp and mould is shared by us, as landlords, and you – our tenants. Between us, we make sure your home is well maintained, safe, and comfortable. An important part of this responsibility is doing what we can to prevent damp and mould happening in the first place.

There are certain daily activities that cause excess moisture in your home, so it’s important to do what you can to prevent it from becoming a damp and mould problem.

Ventilation and excess moisture

By creating good ventilation in your home and preventing the build-up of excess moisture, you’re helping to reduce unnecessary condensation. If you follow some simple steps, you can make a big difference.

• Cover pots and pans when you’re cooking and use an extractor fan
• Close your kitchen and bathroom doors to stop moisture from spreading
• Wipe down windows and windowsills regularly, using a kitchen towel or squeegee
• Dry clothes outside if it’s an option, otherwise consider using a dehumidifier or tumble dryer if you have one
• If you have an external tap, turn off its water supply using the isolator valve when the weather is cold - this can prevent problems with your pipes

When there’s mould in your home, it carries the risk of impacting your health. While damp and mould can often be treated at home using domestic cleaning products from a supermarket, if you’re struggling to keep it at bay or it gets out of control, it’s our responsibility to get to the bottom of the issue and find a solution for you.

Ask us to remove the mould if:

• You aren’t able to do it yourself
• You have respiratory issues, allergies or other health concerns
• There is an unmanageable amount of mould
• You’re concerned for your family’s wellbeing
• You have any other worries relating to health and safety

As a landlord, your wellbeing is our main priority. We have a responsibility to make sure your home is safe to live in, and that includes ensuring your home isn’t experiencing any damp and mould caused by structural faults, and that we quickly deal with issues that have the potential to harm your health as they arise.

Look out for signs of penetrating damp

• Plumbing faults, like a dripping or burst pipe underneath a sink
• A leaky roof or broken tiles
• Problems with guttering
• Cracks on external walls
• Internal leaks within the property

It occurs when groundwater rises through gaps in the walls, soaking it from within. Signs include:

• mould on the lower section of walls
• cracks bigger than 3mm in the brickwork
• decaying skirting boards
• peeling wallpaper

If you have any of these issues in your home, make sure you give us a call as soon as you can.