Mouldy ceiling above shower

[MouldyCeiling]

We are interested in buying a third floor flat in an old building (60s). The problem is that there is black mould on the ceiling above the shower. The walls next to the shower are internal, if that matters. The bathroom has a small window on the external wall. I don't think there is an air vent or it might be covered up (see pics). There is an upstairs neighbour.

We live in a country where surveys are not the norm. And it is such a seller's market that even if we asked to get experts in, they would just move on to the next interested party who isn't causing a fuss! Properties get snapped up in days here.

Does anyone have an experience with black mould and could advise on whether this could be a big problem? 🙏

Pics under review. Hopefully will appear soon!

most likely lack of ventilation

Just looks like lack of ventilation, weird ceiling to have in a bathroom.

Probably lack of ventilation.

However, is there a chance that that ceiling is asbestos? If so, you probably shouldn’t attempt to scrub the mould off.

Agree. We have similar above our shower cubicle even though there is a ventilation fan.

It needs an effective extractor fan.

Mould spores are everywhere in the world, all the time, and will grow if moisture and temperature are suitable. You can spray the ceiling with a mould killer (cover your head and face) but this will not cure the problem.

I can see a grille in the corner of the ceiling next to the plumbing duct. What does it connect to?

What country is this in?

What is above the ceiling?

This looks like just a ventilation issue - not leaving door/window open after repeated steamy showers, made worse by bumpy textured ceiling trapping moisture. Possibly isn't much insulation above the ceiling, so it gets cold. As long as it's not extensive it is almost certainly just cosmetic.

We get a little mould above our shower sometimes, and it's easy to deal with, if you wipe over with a mould remover every now and then. It is vaguely bleachy but doesn't damage paintwork.

It looks like in the corner of the bathroom there is some sort of vent. This could replaced with an electric fan which would be activated when the light switch is activated.