Guide to black mould in properties

Tenants sometimes contact us to report problems with mould so

we have created this useful guide to help resolve the problem.

When most Tenants see the growth of mould inside their home they call

to report a problem of damp. However, in the vast majority of cases, this

problem is caused by a simple lack of ventilation. This problem can

usually be resolved by the Tenant changing their lifestyle only very

slightly as it is unlikely to be caused by issues with the property itself. Mould can be a serious problem because of the potential health risks

associated with mould spores, which can include asthma, allergies and

sinusitis. Many Tenants are unaware that mould growth can be caused by

lifestyle. Our day-to-day life creates a lot of moisture that becomes

airborne from cooking, boiling water, showers, drying clothes inside and

simply breathing. The number of people and animals living inside the

home will have a large effect on the amount of moisture created. During the summer, this does not cause a problem as we are more likely

to open windows for longer. However, during colder periods, we would

keep windows closed to retain heat and reduce fuel bills, which will

cause the amount of air borne moisture to built up and settle as

condensation around the house. Mould will form on many surfaces but would first be noticed on plastered

walls, tile grouting and sealant around the bath or shower. The spores

then become air borne and can easily settle on many other areas

creating a much larger problem. You would generally see mould on

bathroom and kitchen ceilings, around window frames and sills, behind

furniture and in the corner of walls furthest away from radiators. Mould is not only a risk to health but can also damage the property and

your own belongings. As a Tenant, you are responsible for ensuring that

the property is adequately ventilated. You must take steps to clean any

mould away and ventilate immediately to prevent it from spreading. It is

not the landlord’s responsibility to keep this under control or to remedy

any damage caused. You will be placing your deposit at risk if this is not

kept under control

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There is a lot of advice available on how to avoid mould and top

tips include: • After a shower, remove all moisture from walls; • ALWAYS use extractor fans where provided and keep windows open

as much as possible during and after a shower or cooking; • Do not dry clothes indoors, use a condensing dryer with additional

ventilation; • Use a dehumidifier if you cannot keep windows open to ventilate. To

clean an area with black mould, there are many products available that

specifically target mould or you could use diluted bleach with a

disinfectant. Wipe down the walls and other affected areas, dry them

immediately and remove any affected possessions to prevent the mould

from returning.

Do not ignore mould in your home – if you do you could be storing up

problems for the future. We hope that this short guide has helpful but

if you have any further concerns, please contact us for more advice.

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