Page 3 | Tenancy dispute- mould, any advice?

Sashavelour65 · 2026-02-16T12:18:25+00:00

I rent out my flat currently (intending to sell as soon as my fixed rate ends later this year) Before any landlord haters want to bash or hate, I make £0 profit from the flat and I am in the red every month. Anyway, I lived there for 18 months prior to renting it out and it was mould free. The new tenant has been there for 2 months and has reported mould today, sending pictures. This looks to be caused by condensation from the windows, as the mould is directly around them and in some ceiling corners. All windows are functional, and the bathroom does not have an extractor fan but the property management were aware of this when I let the flat out. The tenancy also states the property must be adequately ventilated, and the inventory shows the walls were mould free at the time of the tenant moving in. I have somebody going over this week to survey and professionally clean the flat, it seems that if it's found to be caused by poor ventilation from the tenant then I have grounds to deduct from their deposit. Has anyone got any experience of this? And no im not trying to be greedy, I've paid a few things already, but if it's something caused by the tenant then no I'd rather not be several hundred out of pocket. Just looking for any advice or experiences?

Original poster

Sashavelour65 · 16/02/2026 12:31

saveforthat · 16/02/2026 12:28

I think you will find the answer is no. My partner tried to deduct something from the tenant's deposit as it was clear they had never opened a window and the paint was peeling off the walls. The adjudicator said that it was not possible to blame tenants for damp and condensation.

That's awful...

OP posts:

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 16/02/2026 12:30

I'd tell the dirty bastards to open a window and clean their walls. Bleach is 50p

The Woman next door to my mum did this and put mould into a perfectly fine flat to claim cash.

Id send the bloke let him do his thing and tell her you are happy to end the tenancy early if she wants.

saveforthat · 16/02/2026 12:28

I think you will find the answer is no. My partner tried to deduct something from the tenant's deposit as it was clear they had never opened a window and the paint was peeling off the walls. The adjudicator said that it was not possible to blame tenants for damp and condensation.

Original poster

Sashavelour65 · 16/02/2026 12:28

ComtesseDeSpair · 16/02/2026 12:27

I had similar. I’d owned the flat for almost ten years and lived in it myself for most of them, so I knew full well it wasn’t damp. I arranged an inspection and the surveyor confirmed the mould was due to condensation through inadequate ventilation and not structural. I told the tenant as much and said I was willing to either provide a dehumidifier or to terminate the lease without penalty so they could find somewhere else as they clearly weren’t happy. They argued a bit, but in the end moved out .

I wasn’t interested in deducting from their deposit, I was just glad to have resolved the situation without too much trouble, and went round and treated the mould and repainted. It’s been fine since. I wouldn’t start to talk about deposit deductions, it just creates more animosity than necessary.

Thank you

OP posts:

ComtesseDeSpair · 16/02/2026 12:27

I had similar. I’d owned the flat for almost ten years and lived in it myself for most of them, so I knew full well it wasn’t damp. I arranged an inspection and the surveyor confirmed the mould was due to condensation through inadequate ventilation and not structural. I told the tenant as much and said I was willing to either provide a dehumidifier or to terminate the lease without penalty so they could find somewhere else as they clearly weren’t happy. They argued a bit, but in the end moved out .

I wasn’t interested in deducting from their deposit, I was just glad to have resolved the situation without too much trouble, and went round and treated the mould and repainted. It’s been fine since. I wouldn’t start to talk about deposit deductions, it just creates more animosity than necessary.

Original poster

Sashavelour65 · 16/02/2026 12:24

MatildaTheCat · 16/02/2026 12:23

It’s extremely difficult to persuade tenants to ventilate a property properly and during the winter if they are also drying laundry a vast amount of moisture builds up. Yes, it’s unreasonable of them but also it’s a difficult problem for them too.

We installed a positive pressure ventilation system which cured the issue straight away. A dehumidifier would help. They probably don’t want to live with mould so trying to find a solution together makes sense.

Not sure if you can claim damages, possibly but right now I’d be looking for an amicable solution.

Thank you for your answer, I will look into that

OP posts:

MatildaTheCat · 16/02/2026 12:23

It’s extremely difficult to persuade tenants to ventilate a property properly and during the winter if they are also drying laundry a vast amount of moisture builds up. Yes, it’s unreasonable of them but also it’s a difficult problem for them too.

We installed a positive pressure ventilation system which cured the issue straight away. A dehumidifier would help. They probably don’t want to live with mould so trying to find a solution together makes sense.

Not sure if you can claim damages, possibly but right now I’d be looking for an amicable solution.