Damp, mould and infestations

What is damp and mould?

Damp and mould are caused by excess moisture; the way you live can cause damp and mould. If your home is not being ventilated correctly, this will cause condensation and mould problems. Mould moves through the air as miniature spores heading for damp, wet areas of the home such as bathrooms, basements and attics.

Problems with damp and mould can also be due to problems with the building, such as leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames. These causes of damp often leave a tidemark around the area.

If you are experiencing any of these in your property, you should let your landlord know straight away. If your landlord does not come to investigate, you should contact the Environmental Health Department at your local Council.

Here are some tips to prevent damp and mould in your property:

• Make sure any vents in the property are open and extractor fans are working.
• Keep windows open when you can to allow ventilation, even in the winter months.
• When cooking make sure lids are on your pans, to stop steam escaping.
• Don’t leave your kettle boiling continuously and try to only boil the amount of water needed.
• Dry your clothes outside when possible.
• Keep your heating on a low level for longer periods.
• Wipe windows and surfaces with a dry cloth to remove sitting moisture.
• Leave internal doors open so air can circulate throughout the house, where you can.

If you do see a build-up of mould or mildew in your property, due to any of these, ensure you use an appropriate cleaning product to remove them. If you do not do anything you can risk deductions to your tenancy deposit.

If you have any queries, about any of the above, please contact [email protected].

Infestations

If you’re dealing with pests or vermin in student housing, you should do the following:

• Check your tenancy agreement: See what it says about who is responsible for dealing with infestations. 
• Take preventative measures: Keep your kitchen and food areas clean and free of clutter. Store food in airtight containers, keep bins sealed, and don’t leave full plastic bags out. 
  If you’re dealing with rats or mice, you should act immediately because they can carry diseases that can spread to humans. 
• Contact your landlord: Let them know about the problem and where you found it. 
• Contact your local authority: The pest control or Environmental Health team can provide advice and help. 
• Hire a pest control company: An accredited expert can inspect your property and determine who is responsible.  If you choose to do this, you would have to pay the initial cost of the service, however if it was proven that the infestation was the responsibility of the landlord, these costs should then be reimbursed by the landlord.
  
  You must be aware that if it is proven that the infestation is due to the way you are living and not adhering to the preventative methods stated above, your Landlord may charge you for any services to eradicate the problem.