UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi my tenants have reported damp and mould in the main bedroom by window sill going up walls and now on ceiling. I suspect that they are drying clothes in both bedrooms. No tumble dryer and evidence of clothes horse. Tenant is pregnant and a chartered surveyor. They have already told my letting agent that this mould needs dealing with ASAP as she is not sleeping in main bedroom. I have just replaced a new boiler in the house. What are my options regrading damp. If surveyor states it is them can I ask them to pay for clean up or can I ask them to provide tumble dryer. Tenants have stated they are not drying clothes. I know otherwise
Help please

How do you know otherwise?

The letting agent went round and saw evidence of clothes horse and although not expert he felt that it was due to poor ventilation and clothes

You cannot ask or require Tenants to get a tumble dryer. Plenty of people survive without one. If the property has adequate heating, insulation and ventilation and there was never the issue before then it is likely down to Tenant lifestyle. Many Councils provide a booklet on damp and mould. When some of my Tenants claimed there was an issue with condensation and mould I provided them with the Council booklet and advised them to ensure there was adequate ventilation... they had the heating on high, with no windows open at any time and the trickle vents closed. Once they had followed the guidance the issue went away. If people do not know how to live in a house, they shouldn't... so have them play ball or find somewhere else.

Hi SloughJ

Its very likely it is condensation but perhaps a specialist damp company could confirm this for you.  My tenants were too lazy to open windows  so I had the same issue, leaflet etc were provided and they were picked up on it and reminded time and time again.  They didn't change they're lifestyle and as a result in a number of windows every bit of sealant needed digging out and replacing and I lost a bit of plaster under the window in the room containing tumble dryer.  The walls were treated with a good shop bought mould spray and no mould has come back since they've gone!  I looked into having a Heat Recovery Ventilation System (HRVC) fitted closing around £500 - might be worth looking at if your property, like mine can't cope with not being ventilated.  My tenants were using clothes horses and a condenser dryer but not one that vented to the outside so was still putting lots of water into the air!

Hope this helps you!