Dealing With Damp In Rental Properties

If you are a landlord, you need to be aware of the signs of damp, and how to best deal with this problem. Keeping your tenants happy is vital to making your life easier.

If you’re a landlord, you have a lot of issues to consider, and a lot of problems arise unexpected. However, autumn and winter are challenging times of the year, and more problems are likely to arise at these times. Therefore, it is vital you are prepared for challenges, and it will be of benefit if you are ready to deal with damp in rental properties.

There are three key types of damp that are relevant in rental property, which are:

  1. Rising Damp
  2. Penetrating Damp
  3. Condensation

Depending on the nature of your property and the weather conditions you face, some of these dampness problems may be more prevalent than others. Therefore, it is in your best interests to make yourself of the three types of dampness.

Rising Damp

As the name suggests, rising damp concerns itself with water coming up from the ground. This style of damp impacts the bottom area of your property, and it can reach up to around a metre. This problem is one that should be spotted by a qualified surveyor when you purchase the property.

It is recommended you install a damp-proof course, which should remove the property. These courses should protect the property for around 25 to 30 years. Therefore, it is a good short and medium-term fix, but it may be an issue you return to near the end of your mortgage.

Penetrating Damp

Penetrating damp mainly relates to water entering the house from outside of the property. This can happen for several reasons, including damaged brickwork, broken or degraded window seals or an issue with your roof. However, in some cases, penetrating damp relates to internal issues.

If you have a damaged water tank or the bathroom fitting is badly sealed, you may suffer from this style of dampness. You should look to see if there are damp patches on your ceilings or walls. If you have this style of problem at your rental property, you will need to call on the services of a builder or plumber to resolve the matter.

Condensation

Condensation occurs when warm air impacts cold surfaces or when there is too much humidity in a home. Condensation is usually seen as dampness on ceilings, walls and windows. This condensation makes it way down the surface and collect in pools. This usually happens around window sills or on the floor, and it often results in mould.

The most effective way to tackle condensation is by improving ventilation in the property.

If you are unsure of how best to deal with dampness or how to spot the symptoms of dampness, it is vital you call on an expert to support you. Dampness can cause serious problems to a property, and to the health of your tenants. With the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act in place, landlords cannot afford to overlook these problems when letting property.

When you need assistance letting property, call on Ariston property, and we will do what we can to help you through the process.