Black mould in rental property

Condensation is the most common form of damp in rented properties. It appears when excess moisture in the air comes into contact with a cold surface, such as a window or a cold wall. It can lead to mould growth and tends to be worse in winter.

It can be caused by a tenant not ventilating or heating their home properly. Black mould is a hazardous contaminant. It causes illness and irritates upper respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic emphysema.

When black mould is present in a rental, the tenant has rights, as does the landlor depending on circumstances surrounding the origin of the mould infestation. The mould fungi have been identified as the source of many health risks such as asthma, allergies, infections and sinusitis. It’s important for landlords to do everything they can to keep moisture to a minimum. In many housing cases we see, mould and damp in rented property is often a result of disrepair, often black mould , and can be made worse by the landlord’s failure to make repairs in a timely manner.

If you are a social or council housing tenant we can support you with your housing disrepair claim. Is the landlord responsible for mold? What causes mold in apartments?

Mould can appear in your home at any time of the year, and it can cause serious health problems along with adding a certain dinginess to your surroundings.

It grows in moist places which lack ventilation. The responsibility to treat the mould usually falls upon a landlor sometimes on a tenant. When mold plagues a rental property , the fallout can fan out to affect not just the current tenants but landlords, neighbors, and future residents who may inherit the infestation after the renters now coping with it have moved on. Mold is an environmental hazard that can cause concern among renters.

In recent decades rental properties, particularly older properties, have seen cases of black mould growth increase. Ironically, the cause of this rise is often down to improvement and refurbishment of older properties. One of the most dangerous mould issues found in the homes is called ‘ black mould ’. Its greenish- black gelatinous mould.

It is usually slimy because of a wet layer on the top. However if a toxic black mould colony’s water source runs out it can appear dry and powdery. Mould can impact anyone which is evident from this article on daily mail. If you have damp and mould you are more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.

Recently I think it was Peterborough ran a pilot scheme. The council inspected all private rental properties. Landlords in all states but Arkansas are responsible for maintaining fit and habitable housing and repairing rental property , and this extends to fixing leaking pipes, windows, and roofs—the causes of most mold. The key to keeping your rental property free of mould is common sense.

If you’re a tenant, keep your home reasonably clean and stay in touch with your landlord.

Tell them in writing as soon as you notice mould in your home that can’t be easily fixed. Where to Report Mold Problems as a Tenant. California is one of a handful of states that strictly regulates mold growth in rental properties.

The presence of mold in your apartment or home can. For example, if a defective window frame has allowed rainwater to leak into the property , causing mould , the landlord must deal with this as a non-urgent repair. Tenants can use the Notice to landlord of rented premises (Wor MB).

Mould is common after floods or heavy rain.