Damp in rental property

[sparklyraindeers]

I'm a landlord, the property is a inherited property from my grandparents.

My tenant has complained of mould around the window frame in the lounge.

The house was recently done up and we noticed the mould situation and put it down to no ventilation as we used to lock up and the house remained empty for quite a few months.

We used a heavy duty mould killed and mould paint but are now complaining saying it has become a issue. They have admitted they do not open the windows at all.

What would be a good plan of action? I'm wondering wether getting a mould repellent spray and a dehumidifier would be a good idea?

I must admit I am clueless when it comes to mould as I've never lived in a older house before.

Any tips or advice?

It's so frustrating. I know how you feel. I had tenants get very very angry towards me regarding the condensation mould.

I explained it was "lifestyle" and simply opening the windows for a little bit each day would solve the issue. They told me they had the windows open all day long. I have a friend who rents my garage who tells me the windows are never open, but I can't act on anything as they have a right to quiet enjoyment of my property. I'm by no means spying on them.

It is yep extremely frustrating. I also bought my tenants a similar mould spray and they still used bleach to clean it!

I'm going to re-emphasise the lifestyle point tonight - surely people understand rather than take it personally

Few harsh responses here. I've been living in a rental property for over 10 years that has an ongoing issue with mould. We open the windows every day, use the central heating, have even purchased dehumidifiers for several of the rooms, as well as stripping, mould-treating and repainting the bathroom (with mould resistant paint) all at our own expense. Nothing works. The mould just keeps on coming back. I have a cough that I've not been able to shake for over a month and I'm sure it's a result of the mould. I think we're going to have to move, as I have a 15 month old and I don't want him developing asthma! Landlord/letting agency just keep spouting the same old crap about keeping the windows open (we do) and using the heating (we do) and not drying clothes inside (we don't). It goes both ways.

Packergator, I am sorry for the troubles you've had. Mould can be uniquely demoralising.
I know that in the property I manage for my dad there has been a mixture of issues: leaking radiator pipes, leaking shower tray (both sorted) , and a cold east facing wall which attracts condensation (not sure what i can do about that). But also the tenants (students) drying clothes on the radiators, not opening windows come autumn, not wiping the shower unit down, and also keeping their doors closed during the day.
Sparkly , i'll also be going there to wipe down the bathroom ceiling with mould treatment and de scale the shower. Maybe we can start a landlord damp/ condensation support thread!

Damp is a totally different problem to mould.

I have spoken to landlords who have new build flats in a block, brand new then a few months after the tenant moves in they complain of damp. Mould all over the window sills and washing hanging around.

Why live in a mouldy property which apparently is not your fault for ten years?

Because honestly? Until now it's never really bothered us and the rent is cheaper than the market average. But now we have a baby I don't want to expose him to it.

It is possible to have mould which is not the tenant's fault. Honestly.

We moved in in September, and tomorrow I'll be scrubbing mould off the bathroom wall and ceiling for the second time in a month. I open the bathroom windows wide for several hours each morning and an hour in the evening. The heating is on a reasonable amount (even though the rest of the flat doesn't really need it). I've purchased moisture collectors and placed them around the room (no plug sockets, so I can't use an electric dehumidifier). We don't hang anything over the radiator. I shower as quickly as possible with the door open to try and stop the humidity building up.

What else can I do, short of never bathing or showering in there? Yet I'm reluctant to tell the letting agent because I know we'll be blamed (and the posts here about ignorant, arrogant, skanky tenants ruining properties seem to confirm that).

I should add that we've never had a speck of mould in any of the other 5 properties we've lived in over the last 14 years. And only one of those had a bathroom with windows that opened! (3 had internal bathrooms, 1 had the windows painted shut). What this one has is an uninsulated, north-facing exterior wall and an ineffectual extractor fan and radiator.

mrs fumbleI am sure it is possible to have mould while inhabiting a home properly. I hope I have never given the impression that tenants are skanky. I wonder whether there could be a problem with the piping in the bathroom, a leak under the shower tray perhaps? I had one in my student flat and it caused no end of trouble until the reason was found. Worth asking the flat below (if there is one) whether they have damp on their bathroom ceiling.

mrsfrumble showering with the door open will just spread the steam. You should have an extractor fan or at the very least a window that opens.

if you don't, (unlike the OPs property) then unless you have a no-breathing clause in your tenancy agreement there will be damp and mould. If the fan doesn't work or the window is stuck, contact the landlord via the agent to ask for a fix.

obviously there will be no electric sockets in a British bathroom. That would break electrical safety laws.

We have an extractor fan and two windows, which, as I mentioned, I leave open wide for at least 3 hours a day (despite the fact this leaves the bathroom bitterly cold and unpleasant to use in this weather). The mould is in spite of those things, which is so frustrating!

We've just got back from living in the states where plug sockets in the bathroom are normal. I wish it was the case here!

When we moved in I noticed that the metal fittings in the bathroom that aren't stainless steel were very rusty (screws, cupboard hinges etc). The shelves inside the cupboards on the north facing walls were also warped, which indicates the bathroom being too damp was a problem long before we moved in. Unfortunately, never having lived somewhere with such an issue before (despite, as I said, living in several places without opening windows in the bathroom) I didn't recognize the signs until the mould started to appear.

Different voltage, not changing. Windows only need to be open for ten mins.

Once mould is in it is difficult to eradicate, but with all that sounds like a building issue. Report as per how to rent guide.

bitterly cold and unpleasant to use in this weather). The mould is in spite of those things

there you have it. without heating ventilation is not as efficient. if there is no heater ask you ll to either install an (electric) heated towel rail or a van heater (there are fixed items available that are safe and designed for bathrooms.