Winter is upon us
It is that time of year when we put on the fires and enjoy a good cup of cocoa or spiced mulled wine for the season.
Although it is yet to turn cold, following a particularly wet autumn our Property Managers are busy making sure the properties we manage under our Fully Managed service are in good order with all routine maintenance up to date. One reoccurring issue, even in well maintained houses, can be condensation, caused by warm moist air meeting a cold surface. It tends to happen in the cooler hours of the day and if action is not taken to properly ventilate and adequately heat a property, it can lead to longer lasting damage as well as health concerns for Tenants.
Our Property Managers are vigilant to the problem. Identifying to Landlords necessary improvements to aid ventilation or tackle underlying structural problems, as well as carrying out regular inspections and advising Tenants on how their actions can significantly improve the situation. This can include matters such as how best to dry clothes, making sure extractor fans and trickle vents are used, and generally how to properly ventilate and heat a property.
Government guidance, published in September, states:
Landlords must ensure that the accommodation they provide is free from serious hazards, including damp and mould, and that homes are fit for habitation. They must treat cases of damp and mould with the utmost seriousness and act promptly to protect their tenants’ health…. tenants should not be blamed for damp and mould. Damp and mould in the home are not the result of ‘lifestyle choices’, and it is the responsibility of landlords to identify and address the underlying causes of the problem, such as structural issues or inadequate ventilation.
The full guidance can be read here >
It is clear that the Government’s emphasis is on the Landlord to do all they can. If you would like to understand how we might be able to help, please contact a member of the Lettings team.
