do trickle vents work? can you retro-fit them

[somebrightmorning]

I've had some very bad damp in my lower ground floor rental flat diagnosed as condensation. It's mostly caused by lifestyle inside the flat (my tenants' showering, etc), though a secondary cause is the poorly maintained exterior which just needs a builder.

I'm probably going to invest in a positive air pressure unit but have also been reading that trickle vents are now a specification for windows. The condensation/mould is worst near the windows. My number one enemy is lack of ventilation.

I have some UPVC windows (the builder said they were in good nick) and a couple of single frame wooden windows. I wasn't sure whether I could ask the local UPVC company to retrofit trickle vents/install a new UPVC window to replace the old one - and, more importantly, whether it's worth it. Both damp companies have agreed that the positive air pressure unit is a must-have (they disagreed about other stuff so I'm ignoring that for now). Would I be better saving my money for a top-of-the-range unit?

We're buying and doing up a house that has a similar issue and they are installing trickle vents in the existing windows today so hopefully it sorts it out. Our house had tenants that didn't ventilate it properly.

My dad is in the building trade and it was his idea to do it so i'm quite positive it will make a difference!

have also been reading that trickle vents are now a specification for windows.
I don't think that this is the full story.
I am not keen on trickle vents from an aesthetic POV. When we had our windows replaced a few years back our (FENSA approved) installer said that TV are specified for new windows but if you are replacing non-TV windows then you can carry on being non-TV. We don't need the extra draughts ventilation, anyway, being a 1930s house with open fires.
Sorry for de-rail.

We had a condensation problem, completely solved by retrofitting some trickle vents. We were having some wooden windows replaced and the company we used fitted the vents to the older double glazed windows for a small fee.

I would always install trickle vents, particularly in properties which were designed and built with wooden windows which have then been retrofitted with upvc. The buildings were designed with a completely different level of ventilation and you remove a lot of that by putting in sealed double glazed units - and mould/condensation problems are often solved completely by additional ventilation.

Trickle vents are not required but are recommended if fitting new windows.

However they are ugly and (more important to me) they let noise in. The soundproofing effect of double glazing is greatly reduced if you make a hole in the frame and trickle vents are effectively a hole...

Personally I would get the PIV unit installed and then see. Possibly install an airbrick somewhere like the hallway - the PIV will be more effective if there is a little passage for the moist air to be expelled.

I love trickle vents. They ensure the house is ventilated without having to open the top windows and let in a draught.

great responses!

So, seems like if I decided to change the one remaining single-glazed wooden window to UPVC, the thing to do would be to negotiate trickle-vent retro-fitting at the same time..... so that a UPVC specialist is doing the job.

update, have found a condensation specialist 10 miles away who advertise retro-fitting of trickle-vents.
yeah!

I’ve seen rental properties where the tenants have sealed up or taped over the trickle vents, so you might need to keep an eye on that.

Got it -thank you.

Update -vents fitted together with better fan. Great improvement!

Yes and yes. Very cheap and easy to install yourself. Take out the vent control of going into a rental so they can’t close them.