How to Deal With Mould in Your Rental Property

Apart from blue cheese, there aren’t many places where you want to see mould. That is especially true when it comes to your property.

Mould is unsightly and a serious health hazard. Unfortunately, it is rather common, especially in damp areas in the home where there isn’t proper ventilation.

Why Does Mould Appear?

To prevent or deal with mould if it has already appeared, first, we need to know why that happens in the first place.

The main cause of mould is condensation. When there is too much moisture in the air, it walls on surfaces, thus creating a perfect breeding environment for fungal spores. With time, the spores grow into mould.

Condensation usually results from poor ventilation in an area of the home or the entire property. If you do not, or only rarely open a window to let the moist air escape from places such as kitchens and bathrooms, where there is a lot of steam.

Besides cooking and showering, if you dry clothes inside, the water becomes molecules and moisturises the air.

Another cause for condensation is cold air. If your heating system is not installed properly or not used often enough, it could lead to significant temperature differences, which in turn moisturise the air.

Mould can also be caused by poor insulation. If moist air meets cold surfaces, that creates the perfect opportunity for the fungal spores to stick to them, resulting in ceilings and walls growing a significant amount of mould. This is why it is essential to conduct regular property maintenance.

Last but not least, you should be wary of newly built properties.

It is not uncommon for mould to form while the building is still drying out, so you should consider providing sufficient time before moving it. This period is usually between 6 and 12 months, depending on the area and weather conditions.

Different Types Of Mould

Now that we know how mould forms, let’s see what types we are most likely to find in our rental properties:

●Green mould. This is the worst-looking one. It looks… well, green and fluffy. Even though it contains penicillin, it is certainly bad for your health. Green mould grows on soft furnishings and is associated with numerous respiratory problems.

●While mould. Rather uncommon, this type of mould looks similar to a salt deposit. You can find it in damp cellars and areas with very low natural light.

●Blue mould. This type requires a lot of moisture to grow. It usually grows in bathrooms, on walls around showers and in baths.

●Mildew. The most common type of black mould. You can often see it in areas with high humidity, such as over the cooktops or bathrooms. It looks like small black spots concentrated in a small space.

●Toxic Black Mould. While not so common, you can spot this mould in homes where property repairs and maintenance have been neglected for a while. It looks almost identical to other types of black mould, so it is hard to differentiate. It requires constant exposure and a lot of moisture to grow, so you can usually find it in areas with an active leakage that needs to be repaired. The only way to identify toxic black mould is to have an expert test it.

Tips And Advice On Dealing With Mould In A Rental Property

As with most problems at home, it is significantly easier to prevent the appearance of mould rather than deal with it.

Of course, it is not always possible. In those cases, you can follow the following steps:

Arrange An Inspection

As soon as you notice, or have been notified of the mould in your rental property, organise an inspection so that you can verify the extent of the problem.

Keep in mind that in many cases, the appearance of mould indicates that other issues must be taken care of, so a swift reaction may save you a lot of time and money.

Carry Out Repairs In A Reasonable Time

Once you have identified the cause of the infestation, it is time to ensure that you resolve it promptly.

You may want to look for signs of rising or penetrating dampness in older properties. If you notice mould on the walls, then checking the gutters is a good idea. If you see it on the ceiling, there may be a roof problem.

For newer homes, mould can indicate a hidden leak somewhere. Another common issue could be the lack of ventilation.

If you find any structural problems, then you should look into fixing them as soon as possible and arrange for regular property maintenance services to be carried out to ensure the issue does not return.

How To Remove Mould Yourself

If you caught the issue initially, you may be able to sort the mould issue yourself, depending on the severity.

Remove all moulds, flaking paint, and loose debris from the area. Then scrub the area with a cloth, soaked in a solution of 1:4 bleach and water. Wait for the space to dry. If there are still visible stains, do the same process again.

Once you remove all the stains, add white vinegar to a spray bottle and over the affected area. This is needed to ensure the mould won’t grow back, as the vinegar kills any remaining spores.

Always ensure proper ventilation when using bleach and vinegar, and do not forget to wear gloves and safety goggles for protection.

Take Preventative Measures

Using the services of professional end of tenancy cleaners after every tenant, timely property maintenance and adequate ventilation are key to preventing mould infestation in your property.

Educate your tenants about the importance of opening windows and airing rooms, especially ones with high humidity. Arranging regular cleaning services for areas with higher moisture will further reduce the risk of spores forming mould or mildew on the walls.

Who Is Responsible For Dealing With Mould In A Tental Property

The responsibility is based on the cause of the issue.

If the mould stems from an issue that the landlord’s responsible for fixing, he will bear all the costs associated with handling the infestation.

Suppose the tenant has failed to notify the landlord promptly or prevent mould build-up by not adequately ventilating the property. In that case, the responsibility is likely to be theirs.

Conclusion

Once mould appears, it is very tricky to get rid of, so it is important to take all necessary measures to avoid it in the first place.

Ensure regular property maintenance and inspections are being conducted, and do not underestimate the need to arrange move-out cleaning after a tenant moves out.

Proper property ventilation is mandatory to keep the air in the property fresh and prevent moisture from sticking to surfaces.

If the property is in an area with high humidity, always take the time to educate the tenants on the importance of keeping the windows open to let fresh air in.