The Mould Issue
Mould has become a growing concern in the UK rental sector, affecting the health and wellbeing of tenants and raising serious questions about housing standards. Damp walls and poor ventilation often cause it—issues that landlords can usually prevent. In this post, we explore why mould is more than just an inconvenience and what landlords, tenants, and policymakers need to do to tackle the problem effectively.
Mould is a fungus whose function is to break down dead organic material. It comes in various colours, such as; black, blue, red, green and white. It thrives in damp, humid conditions and unfortunately affects many homes across the private rental sector.
The perfect environment for mould growth derives from variables that provide the humid room it needs. Factors such as condensation, rising dampness and poor ventilation all contribute to the development of fungi.
Mould is a serious issue, with 39% of renters reporting problems to The Shelter and YouGov Polls. The effects of these fungi on the human body can include respiratory diseases, rashes, depression, and allergic reactions.
Prevention
Prevention starts with treating rising damp as soon as you find it. Make sure every room has adequate permanent ventilation—especially kitchens, bathrooms, shower rooms, bedrooms (due to overnight breathing), and any other space used for drying clothes.Condenser driers are fantastic at reducing humidity in a house and if you are unable to do all of the above a dehumidifier installed into a property can help. If windows do not have vents fitted then get them fitted, this will improve general air quality and the health of the tenants.
You should always be in a window-ventilated room whilst having the doors closed when treating mould. Use the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and a mask, to protect yourself from the cleaning products and spores. Dedicated mould cleaning products are available to kill the mould from surfaces, but using anti-mould paint afterwards can help to prevent it from returning.
Sources:
England Shelter
Ronseal
Written By: Logan Williams
