Rinlgley group logo
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    About Us Our People Awards Savings for Clients Results for Clients Green Management Strategies Market Overview Leasehold Reform Campaign Money Back Guarantee
  • What We Do
    • Block Management
      • Block Management Overview
      • for RTM Companies
      • for Freehold Management Companies
      • for Resident Management Companies
      • for Estates of Houses
      • for Freeholder Investors
      • Ground Rent Collection
      • How to Change Agent
      • Block Management Packages
      • Can't Afford an Agent?
      • Legal work & Tribunals
      • Section 20 Major Works
      • Ringley's Top 10 Tips
      • Staff on Site
      • Moving or Buying?
      • Report an Incident
    • Asset Management
      • Asset Management Overview
        • Asset Management Overview
        • Stabilised Assets
        • Project Monitoring
        • Mobilisation & Lease up
        • Asset Managers TechStack
        • Accounting & Reporting
        • Brands & URLs for sale
        • ESG Consultancy & Implementation
        • UK Build to Rent
        • UK Later Living
        • UK Coliving
        • UK Student Housing
        • BTR Smart PropTech
        • BTR Strategic Marketing
        • BTR Resident Experience
        • BTR Tenancy Management
        • Asset Management Clients
        • Site Finding/Digital Land Search
      • Law
        • Legal Services Overview
        • Our People
        • Recommendations
        • Right to Manage
        • Lease Extensions
        • Freehold Purchase
        • Absentee Freeholder
        • Court Appointed Manager
        • Conveyancing
        • Service Charge/Rent Arrears Recovery
        • Company Secretary
      • Valuation
        • Valuation Overview
        • Loan Security
        • Company Accounts
        • Lease Extensions
        • Freehold Purchase
        • Rent Reviews
        • Development Valuations
        • Insurance Valuations
        • Expert Witness & Litigation
        • Tax, Trusts & Accounts Valuations
        • Trading Business
        • Compulsory Purchase
        • Residential Valuations
      • Engineering
        • Engineering Overview
        • EWS1 Consultancy
        • Asbestos
        • Contract Administration
        • Fire Assesment
        • Homebuyer Survey
        • Building Survey
        • Schedules
        • Party Wall Matters
        • Principle Designer
        • Disability Access Audits
        • Small Building Works
      • Finance
        • Finance Overview
        • Get Accounts Quote
        • The Law & Property Accounts
        • Industry Update
        • To audit or Not?
      • Plant & Facilities Management
        • Plant & Facilities Management
        • Fire Door Inspection APP
      • Site Staffing Solutions
      • Leasehold Guidance
        • Leasehold Guidance Overview
        • Right to Manage
        • Buy Freehold
        • Court Appointed Manager
        • Absentee Freeholder
    • Insights
      Property Management Articles Property Management Blogs Rental Market Blogs Customer Comments FAQ - Ask Our Experts
    • E-books
    • Portal Login
    • Get In Touch
    • Clear Filter
    • Property Blog INDEX
    • PlanetRent Blog

    How to keep your home mould-free this winter


    Responsive image


    Most of us associate mould with poorly maintained housing but it’s a problem for lots of us at this time of year, regardless of where we live. A new survey carried out by the price comparison website Uswitch and reported in Landlord Today, reveals that the problem is most common for tenants in private, social or student housing – but it can affect any home affected by condensation or penetrating damp.

    So what can you do about it?

    According to Uswitch, two thirds of renters think dealing with mould is the landlord’s responsibility. This is certainly the case if damp is the source of the problem and landlords should ensure their rented homes are well insulated, properly heated and draught-proof. However there is a lot tenants can do to solve mould problems themselves if they are the result of condensation. Unfortunately 40% of the renters who spoke to Uswitch said they wouldn’t clean mould themselves. However, the problem is unlikely to resolve itself unless they are prepared to take action – and it could get much worse

    The Centre for Sustainable Energy has this advice for homeowners and renters.


    • Reduce condensation by producing less moisture in your home. This means keeping the lids on pans and using the extractor fan when you’re cooking; drying clothes outdoors or ensuring your tumble dryer is properly vented; and closing the bathroom door when showering. Don’t forget to open the windows or use the fan afterwards. This is super-simple advice but it does make a difference.

    • Wipe down windows and sills in the morning to mop up any moisture that has formed overnight – and invest in a dehumidifier if the problem is very severe.

    • Heat your home – very cold rooms generate damp and condensation so keep all the radiators turned on at a low level. Unused rooms should be aired from time to time too.

    If you already have mould on your walls or ceiling, you can tackle it yourself using this two-stage treatment: clean off the black spots with an anti-mould spray containing bleach, leave overnight and then spray with an anti-fungal wash. We would always recommend wearing a face mask when working with chemicals – a mask with a ventilator from a builders merchant (still open despite the lockdown!) is the best option. If the mould has left a nasty mark behind once you’ve treated the area, you could also give it a coat of mould-resistant paint. None of this is costly or difficult and could make a big difference.

    However, if the mould is so serious that you really can't deal with it yourself, if you suspect it is the result of either penetrating damp from a leaking pipe or missing roof tiles, or you think the home you live in has rising damp, this is the time to raise the problem with your landlord or the managing agent. No one should be living in a damp home and these issues are entirely their responsibility.  

    The Centre for Sustainable Energy has also produced an easy to read leaflet that you can download to find out more.

    Photo by Jon Moore on Unsplash

     

     



    06/01/2021
    Author : Maryanne Bowring

    Social
    Facebook Linkedin Twitter Blogger

    Subscription

    Keep up to date

    (Weekly, fortnightly or monthly)


    To find out more what we do with your data, please read our Privacy Policy


    Insights, Blogs, Research, E-Books

    Landlord blog bg

    Landlord blog
    Read landlord blog
    Property blog bg

    Property blogs
    Read property blogs
    Articles bg

    Property articles
    Read property articles
    E book

    E-books
    Read E-books
    Facebook footer Instagram footer Linkedin footer Twitter footer
    Facebook footer
    Instagram footer
    Linkedin footer
    Twitter footer
    • Ringley Group
    • About us
    • CSR
    • BusyLiving
    • PlanetRent
    • Fire door inspection
    • Talk to us
    • Careers
    • Ask a Question
    • Insight
    • Articles
    • Blogs
    • Subscribe
    • What we do
    • Asset Management
    • Block Management
    • Facilities Management
    • Property Law
    • Surveying / Valuation
    • Building Engineering
    • Financial Services
    • Managing Agents
    • Block Management Locations
    • Co-working
    • Offices
    • London
    • Ringley House
    • 1 Castle Road
    • London
    • NW1 8PR
    • T: 0207 267 2900
    • Manchester
    • 11 Swan Street
    • Northern Quarter
    • Manchester
    • M4 5JJ
    • T: 0330 174 7777
    • Cardiff
    • 122 Bute Street
    • Cardiff Bay
    • Cardiff
    • CF10 5AE
    • T: 0330 174 7747
    • Email: solutions@ringley.co.uk
    • Emergency line 1: 0207 428 2056
    • Emergency line 2: 0207 267 2900
    • Report incident
    Privacy Policy
    Ringley Staff
    Ifsm Irpm member New iso Arla licensed Ombudsman services Rics vertical Gbc

    All content © copyright 2022. Ringley Limited. All Rights reserved. Ringley Limited, incorporated and registered in England and wales. Registered office: Ringley House, 1 Castle Road, London, NW1 8PR. Company No. 03302438
    Terms of use | Privacy Policy | Modern slavery act | COVID-19 risk assessment