Condensation Control: Advice for Landlords
Now that condensation season is beginning, it is absolutely crucial that landlords ensure that their properties are adequately protected. Last year, the government introduced new legislation designed to make landlords 'play a more active role in reducing damp and mould in rental accommodation'.
The Decent Homes Standard was previously applicable only to social housing but now covers all types of rented accommodation. Landlords must now make sure that their properties are clear of any Category One hazards, which damp conditions and the health risks they can cause are considered to be. People living in damp conditions are at risk of serious impacts on their health; if the damp is due to repairs and maintenance not being carried out properly, this becomes the responsibility of the landlord.
Though rising damp and penetrating damp do occur, condensation is the primary cause of damp and so landlords should take all possible steps to reduce the possibility. On average, each tenant produces as much as four pints of water vapour through cooking, washing and bathing; in an eight-bedroom house of multiple occupancy (HMO), this adds up to over 220 pints of moisture per week. During the colder seasons, much of this excess water vapour forms condensation.
Twistfix offers an extensive collection of products designed to combat condensation and the problems it causes. These include ThermalDry anti-condensation coating, heat recovery fans, mould remover, ISO-THERM insulation and fungicidal paint additive. Landlords can also offer tips to their tenants on how to reduce condensation, such as:
- Maintain a constant temperature indoors
- Cover pans while cooking and use the extractor hood if there is one
- Close the kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking or showering
- Do not dry laundry inside the property. If this must be done, then use a clothes airer instead of a radiator and make sure that the room is well ventilated
- If using a tumble drier of the condenser type, empty the reservoir frequently
- Do not block any air vents or other ventilation points
- Do not use portable gas fires or paraffin heaters
- Pull furniture slightly away from the wall
- Keep an eye out for typical symptoms of condensation and report them immediately. Such symptoms include peeling wallpaper, spots of black mould and visible moisture on windows and walls
Please browse our website to discover our complete collection of condensation control products and get in touch with our technical team if you need expert advice. If you would like to receive the latest news, updates and special offers from Twistfix, please subscribe to our newsletter.