3 Causes of Damp and Mould in a Rented Property

Rising damp has a tell-tale sign of a tide mark or discolouration on an internal wall. This will generally cause the edges of carpets to darken and rot, paint to flake and wallpaper to peel.

There are many causes of rising damp, these are pretty much exclusively the responsibility of your landlord to repair and will generally be set out within Section 11 of your tenancy agreement. A corrupted damp proof course, cracked external drainage, underfloor pipe damage and structural external issues can all contribute to rising damp.

Once your landlord has recognised the cause of the rising damp, they will need to take appropriate steps to remedy the issues, only replastering once the cause has been found and fixed.

If your landlord is dragging their heels and is failing to investigate or complete the repairs, it is often a great idea to consult with an expert in this field.

Black mould is an organism which both grows on and thrives in damp conditions. This should be treated with caution as black mould contains toxins and can cause serious harm, which if breathed in can affect your respiratory system, and if touched can trigger skin conditions such as eczema.

Poor ventilation and excessive internal moisture are the conditions which black mould thrives in and is more often that not caused by condensation. This is why, if you've ever reported the issues to your landlord, their stock answer is often "open your windows and turn up the heating". Whilst the tenant's living conditions often contribute to the growth of mould, so too can factors within the landlord's control. For this reason, it's common sense for a landlords to investigate reports of mould as often this is as a result of leaks, structural defects and atmospheric damp caused by a water ingress elsewhere within the property

If you've reported black mould and this hasn't been investigated, we'd happily discuss your issues with you and advise you on an action plan to eradicate the cause.

Penetrating damp is water ingress which accesses a property through walls, the roofs window or door surrounds at any level of the property. This is often as a result of defects in roof tiles, cracked pointing, blocked weep holes or defective seals.

If you have penetrating damp, it should be fairly easy to spot with damp walls, rotting flooring and a discolouration or bowing of a ceiling indication there is a leak.

It is especially important that a landlord both recognises and rectifies penetrating damp as this can cause significant safety issues to a tenant and their family.

When living with damp and mould, it can not only be distressing, it can be dangerous. This can cause a negative effect on your mental health; e.g., stress, depression and anxiety.

Fortunately, as a tenant you have legal rights, these are there to protect you, and to ensure there is a resolution to any disrepair you are suffering from as a result of landlord apathy. Here at Home Disrepair Helpline, we'll help you set up a claim, and the best bit, we'll also act on your behalf on a No Win No Fee Basis.

As specialists in housing disrepair, we will:

• Conduct an in person assessment of the damp conditions within your rented home.
• Take both search and pin damp meter reads.
• Put you in touch with an expert who will liaise with your landlord to arrange your home's repairs are fixed within an agreed timeframe.
• Put you in touch with an expert who will negotiate compensation for any personal property damages as a result of damp and mould, the inconvenience of not having full enjoyment of your home, and any health related conditions which have arisen as a result of unresolved property maintenance issues which are the responsibility of your landlord.

To get started or find out more, simply book an assessment using the link below or chat to us through Whatsapp

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