Mold in communal areas - question

[dampcounty]

Hi, I hope someone can shed some light on this

I viewed a flat a couple of weeks ago. Roughly 1980s building, 3 floors and
around 30 flats in total

There was mold growing on the ceilings of every floor and walls towards one end of the building where the communal stairway was. The windows were open, which suggested the place was kept ventilated but there wasn't any heating there

Would this indicate any damp issues or problems with the building as a whole? The flat I viewed wasn't moldy, but it's difficult to ascertain as it could have been recently redecorated

Just to add, I don't recall seeing so much mold in similar properties I've visited, so I was slightly taken aback when I saw this. It smelled rather musty too

If there’s more mild than you’ve ever seen and it smells despite being ventilated how can their not be a mild problem.

I wouldn’t even consider buying in that building

Oh dear!😰

What could the problem be?

I wouldn’t touch it. My best guess would be poor maintenance - so looking at things like blocked or broken guttering, outside walls needing repointing, an over flow pipe dripping, a roof leak, breached damp proof course etc.

Thanks everyone. It's a shame as most other aspects seemed fine

I guess instructing one of those inexpensive 'damp surveyors' would be useless as they would probably advise carrying out lots of work without knowing what is really causing the problem