Posts with tag: mould

Carry out mid-term inspections now, urges AIIC

Published On: February 13, 2016 at 10:01 am

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Landlords are being advised that now is the perfect time to carry out a mid-term inspection of their rental property.

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) is calling for prompt inspections as many homes could be suffering from mould, generally caused by condensation issues.

Prevention

In order to prevent the problem from escalating, the AIIC urges landlords to carry out these checks on properties in the next few weeks.

‘Mould can be caused by a lack of ventilation or incorrect drying of wet washing-even if just one tenant is living in the property,’ noted Patricia Barber, Chair of the AIIC. ‘It can also be caused by on-going leaks both inside and outside the property, blocked gutters and missing roof tiles.’[1]

If mould is found to be present in a property, the AIIC advises that landlords should ensure that this is not due to external factors, lack of ventilation or any other issue that they can easily solve themselves.

Carry out mid-term inspections now, urges AIIC

Carry out mid-term inspections now, urges AIIC

Instructions

On the other hand, if a build up of mould is being caused by substandard living conditions, the landlord should inform their tenants of actions required in writing.

These should include:

  • reference to ventilating the property
  • wiping down walls and windows
  • using extractor fans
  • not putting damp washing on radiators or heaters
  • rubbing down and mould spores as soon as they are noticed

Barber concluded by saying, ‘if mould is not dealt with on a regular basis the resulting damage could cause both tenant and landlord a lot of money at the end of a tenancy.’[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/2/landlords-urged-to-carry-out-mid-tenancy-inspections

 

Warning: Common Mould Can Kill

Published On: December 9, 2015 at 10:29 am

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Warning: Common Mould Can Kill

Warning: Common Mould Can Kill

As the winter weather really sets in, property management specialist VPS has issued a warning that damp homes can develop a poisonous killer – common mould.

The firm states: “Not many people realise that mould is classed as a Category 1 health risk – the same as asbestos.”

As landlords have a duty of care for their tenants, it is recommended that you follow VPS’s advice in having any serious outbreaks of mould checked by a specialist team.

The company revealed that 50% of people who contract Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA) die. Despite mould being a common household issue, it is vital that this problem does not get out of control.

Aspergillosis is a group of conditions caused by a fungal mould called aspergillus. It typically affects the respiratory system, but can spread to anywhere in the body. It is just one of many types of mould and can be found growing on damp walls, as a major component of mildew.

Anthony Owen, the Managing Director of VPS, explains: “Everyone knows that most mould comes from excess water, but what many people don’t realise is that the type of fungi that grow give off micro toxins can make people ill. It is classed as a Category 1 health risk, the same class as asbestos.”

VPS has developed specialist mould prevention and removal teams to combat the issue and offer property owners free consultations if they believe they have a mould problem.

“Mould can be avoided by eradicating the contamination and also by addressing the root causes, ensuring that the contamination can be effectively controlled,” says the firm. “However, once mould spreads and takes hold, its removal should be carried out by a specialist team who will identify the causes, deal with the contamination and ensure a stable condition in the affected areas is achieved.”

Removing mould and ensuring that it does not build up on surfaces around the property can hugely improve the health of tenants. However, the root cause of the mould must also be tackled. These are: Condensation, water leaks, damp basements, inadequate ventilation, and rising damp.

An initial consultation with VPS can suggest how to treat the problem and how to prevent further issues. A specialist may be necessary to protect the health of current occupants and future tenants.