“Low levels of background ventilation, even without visible signs of dampness or mould growth, can result in high humidity levels and greatly increased dust mite populations” Housing Health and Safety Rating System, Operating Guidance, Housing Act 2004.
As the first hazard identified under the Housing Health and Safety Ratings System, we thought we’d cover damp and mould first, in our series of posts about hazard mitigation. Whilst not as common in holiday lets, and certainly not as big of a risk to health, damp and mould is an issue that, none-the-less, affects much of the housing stock in the UK and can be better addressed.
Here are 6 easy and effective steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of damp and mould growth in your FHL.
When you’re in the renovating phase of owning your FHL, it’s good to consider that proper insulation and draught-proofing can help prevent condensation, which leads to damp and mould:
- Insulate walls, roof spaces, and floors where possible, to keep the property warm and reduce temperature differences that cause condensation.
- Seal gaps around windows and doors to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.
- Use thermal curtains to add an extra layer of insulation to windows or doors.
Good airflow is essential to reduce moisture levels in the home but it’s difficult to manage how much airflow your property will get when you have guests, if it’s hot they may open a window or some patio doors, but what if they don’t?
- Ask your cleaners to open windows while the property is being cleaned to allow fresh air to circulate.
- Use automatic extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove excess moisture generated from showers, cooking, and dishwashing.
- Install trickle vents in windows to provide a constant flow of fresh air without significant heat loss.
- Consider installing a Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) System such as a Nuaire Drimaster these work in the background to ensure continual air movement around the property and can make a huge difference in properties prone to damp.
Taking steps to reduce moisture in a property can prevent the growth of mould:
- Provide an outdoor clothesline or a tumble dryer vented outside to encourage guests to dry clothes outside.
- We’d also recommend providing an indoor clothes airer, as the weather in the UK isn’t consistently dry and guests will be less tempted to dry clothes on radiators.
- Advise guests to use the kitchen and bathroom extractors and to keep lids on pots when cooking to reduce steam.
Leaks from roofs, pipes, faulty appliances, or bathrooms can create persistent damp spots:
- Regularly inspect your property, especially after stormy weather, for missing or damaged tiles and repair them promptly.
- Check plumbing for leaks and ensure that gutters and downpipes are clear of debris to prevent overflow.
- Fix any issues with appliances like washing machines or dishwashers that might be causing water to leak.
- Make it easy for guests to report issues to you or your managing agent so you can deal with them promptly.
In areas prone to dampness, like bathrooms, using moisture-resistant materials can make a difference:
- Use mould-resistant paint for walls and ceilings in high-humidity areas.
- Use water-resistant flooring materials, such as tiles or vinyl and check they’re sealed so water doesn’t run into skirting boards.
Regular maintenance and cleanliness can help prevent the conditions that lead to mould growth:
- Consider providing a mop so guests can easily clean and dry spills immediately and prevent water from seeping into floors and walls, especially if the property has a hot tub as you’re more likely to have wet guests traipsing in and out.
- Regularly check the property and clean areas that are prone to dampness, like under sinks, behind appliances and heavy furniture.
You can definitely take positive steps to reducing the likelihood of damp and mould growth affecting your FHL, but if you need more support identifying any issues or mitigating them, please do let us know.
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Rose Woods