AIBU to expect the tenants to turn the heating up?

[LadyMaine]

I've owned my 3 bed Victorian house for 7 years. There was a little bit of damp in the downstairs bay window but nothing serious.

I moved for work at end of August this year and rented it out. Within a few weeks the tenants (3 adults & dog) started complaining of damp and mould. When I went to inspect the house was very cold.
They said they are worried about high heating bills. I do understand this but have told them they really need to turn the heating up.

The boiler is in full working order as are the extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom.
I installed new double glazed windows throughout when I bought the house. It also has a damp course installed.

Now they are complaining that there is black mould and that one of the tenants' asthma is getting worse.
What can I do to get them to turn the heating up?

You should sort the mould / pay for some heating.

You absolutely cannot force, even ask, them to turn heating on if you're not paying the heating bills. Completely unfair.

Like others have said, you cannot afford to be a landlord perhaps.

How much longer on the heir lease contract? If I was you I'd give them notice 2 months before end of contract. If they moved in August does their 6 months end in January? If so I'd serve notice in November (section 21) before Gove abolishes it. Get mould sorted to hen if you rent out again put minimum 18 degrees, temperature clause in contract. Also get fan in bathroom wired into light electrics, so every time they switch on light the fan comes on.

You wouldn't realistically say that your old house, with the mould problem, was a suitable property for a lettings business though, would you?

I lived there for seven years before I rented it out in Sept. I had no mold and I mentioned the tiny damp spot in one corner of the bay window for full disclosure.

You cannot make them turn on the heating, because they cannot afford it. I would buy them a dehumidifier and ask them to put it on for a few hours each day. Windows should be opened in the day for ventilation, and washing shouldn't be on racks indoors (without heating).

😂😂😂

Tennents are responsible for adequately heating and ventilating a house, that's what I was told by environmental Health when we had them out about mould in a flat we couldn't afford to heat.

People hate landlords on here OP, you'd be better off getting advice elsewhere.

Condensation and mould would rapidly become a problem in my old house if I didn't open every window for 5/10 minutes everyday and didn't put the heating on regularly as soon as the weather turns; if I were a tenant, I'd expect the landlord to make all this very clear, and point out the there is cost to this, before I moved in.

Isnt this just common sense? Should she go round and wipe their arses for them too? 😂

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4682129-is-anyone-else-having-mould-problems-due-to-not-using-their-heating

I'm sorry you're getting such a hard time OP, it's not fair. MN hates LL so you're doomed.

I've had exactly the same, lived in a Victorian terrace for years with no issues at all. Rented it out, regular mould issues that I have to keep going in and sorted because they aren't using the tumble drier and aren't airing the house out. And before anyone shouts re. Cost of living, it's rented out at below market rates, impeccably maintained, and this has been an issue for a decade or more. Some tenants are worse than others so it's clearly a tenant issue not a house issue. Friends have had to sell their rented flats for the same issue - they lived in it no problem, tenants kept making it go mouldy.

Exactly. There’s a big anti landlord hate group on MN. I’m not a landlord but have lived in rented houses plenty

most tenancy agreements have clauses that clearly state they must take reasonable steps to keep humidity to normal levels and appropriate ventilation . This means they have to prevent mould by using heating etc. it is part of their responsibility when renting the house

yes, if the house is substandard and despite normal humidity ranges the house is developing mould- then that is most certainly landlords responsibility as i5 will interfere with clients rights to enjoy their home and be safe.

The Op has done work to improve insulation and damp. I would say she does need to sort out damp in bay window too as this is structural and her responsibility and not acceptable - it won’t be helping the humidity.

in my experience a lot of rental properties accumulate mould when tenants start to dry their washing inside in winter. Some tenants, particularly when young (eg me and my house mates at uni) don’t realise the sheer amount of water given out on a load of washing drying inside. Especially when hung up in cold rooms and no open windows.

If the current draft bill on all rental property having an EPC above a C rating goes ahead, just dream about finding a house to rent. The failing houses will be sold, toute de suite, and there will be even fewer houses for tenants.

They have a 12 month contract.

Fan in bathroom is already wired up to the lights and comes on when they do.

I fully renovated when I bought it in 2015, Inc new, boiler, windows, bathroom and kitchen.

According to MN, she should, and pay them to do it to.

I think people suggesting that the OP pay for heating are being ridiculous.

I live in a property that sounds exactly like the OP’s. I own it and it’s very well maintained - new windows etc. I am very aware of the need to to avoid condensation building up - so I use a dehumidifier when drying washing, I air the bathroom etc. It’s just what you need to do to avoid damp and mould.

I agree. There are some landlord forums so you might get better answers there.

Maybe landlords should push for similar responsibilities being actually Allowed in contracts to prevent damage to property and tenant's health.

We have it written in our lease that the tenant must heat the house to a minimum of 10 degrees, as otherwise the buildings insurance won't pay for frostdamage/broken pipes etc. There are non-electric dehumidifiers from Unibond that work very well. You could provide them for the tenants to protect your property. You could place 1 in every room and leave them with refills and ask them to empty it and refill regularly.

I'd consider letting them out of their contract early if they want to go. And put a heating clause in the contract for the next tenants.

I can't believe the bashing you are getting on here. Or how many people have zero understanding of how to live in an older house in our damp and cold climate.

Thanks Setyoufree I only take notice of responses which makes useful suggestions, and some have been very useful.

I think they are not using the tumble dryer so I'll have a chat about that.

Everyone is worried about high utility bills.

I don't want them to get ill, but I also don't want them to damage the house.

At the moment they pay all the utilities. I am considering offering to pay the gas bill in return for a set amount from them each month.

Any thoughts on that anyone?

Thanks eurochick really helpful suggestions 🙏

The 'tiny damp spot' that wasn't there in the seven years you loved there?

Uh huh

Sort it out - it's your responsibility

You're still BVU

We rent an old house and get mold spores every other day around the windows due to the temperature at night. I spray it with mold and mildew spray and keep on top of it. We also have a dehumidifier. I wouldn't blame the landlord unless it was a serious mold issue that couldn't be solved with cleaning and normal maintenance. They obviously aren't looking after the property properly if there wasn't a problem before.

I think you'd find yourself paying to have the house heated to 24 degrees all day every day.

I'd do what others have said and get them a dehumidifier, made a massive difference in our old Victorian flat. Or offer to pay for 30 mins a day heating on the condition that they also air the place for a minimum period each day.

At the moment they pay all the utilities. I am considering offering to pay the gas bill in return for a set amount from them each month.

I wouldn't do that unless you are ready to be in serious loss. Especially after they already proved problematic in some way, thinking you are the problem. You are risking them getting back at you by running it non stop with headtilt "but you said it has to be heated" headtilt.

Brutal but I think that's how it would end up...

I would let them out of lease early

I own a part 18thC/part 20thC house with 2' thick walls. I have double glazing, lime plaster and I live in Cornwall. I open the windows every day, put my bathroom window on nightlatch. My heating has only just gone on since we've had rain, I double spin the washing and use the tumble dryer to part dry washing and then it dries overnight. I have a dehumidifier. I don't have mould.

I think in OP's situation I would get a professional to look at the house to assess if work was needed and also what the tenants responsibilities are in relation to heating and airing the house. The average energy bill is £2,500 or £210 average monthly.