CONDENSATION AND DAMP CLAIMS IN A LET PROPERTY.

Where Tenants are consistently concerned about their Property’s Condensation and Damp issues, no longer can a Landlord blame their Tenants for the damp and mould in their Home due to the Tenant’s Lifestyle.

Not until the Landlord has done everything reasonable to deal with the problem, that is, Landlords are now required to keep the property “Fit for Human Habitation” of which damp and mould growth have a very high priority.

Landlords are expected now to have carried out, within a reasonable time, preventative work before a Tenant can be blamed for condensation damp and mould in their property, so Landlords are now legally obliged to deal with these issues in the first instance.

It is only when Landlords have exhausted the preventative work can they justifiably attribute it on their Tenants lifestyle.

For example

-Landlords must investigate if it is possible to reduce the cost of heating dramatically by properly insulating the property and providing low-cost heating.

-Landlords must see if water is penetrating the property.

-Are there any roof or brickwork pointing issues causing this?

-Is the damp course solid?

Landlords now have a Legal Obligation to deal with these matters under their Statutory Repairs Obligations.

A suitable Tumble Dryer which vents externally should be provided to minimise condensation and mould as well as for maximum Tenant convenience.

As Professional Agents, it is our duty to make aware our Landlord Clients of the shift in emphasis.

The cost of repairs are Tax Deductible and keeping the Goodwill of Clients is an essential Management ingredient for Longevity of Tenure and reasonable Rent Maximisation.

By being proactive the Tenancy will still be a positive one for Landlords, Issues like as mentioned above are in a minority of cases and also Tenants are once carefully chosen more and more considerate in their usage and more knowledgeable.

DM&Co