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The LandlordZONE Newsletter  December 2009

In this issue - Damp, Condensation and Mould - how to deal with it:

Editorial:

As we near the year-end and enter the quiet season for landlords, it’s perhaps time to reflect on what’s happened over the last 12 months.

Despite going through the worst recession since the 1930s the lettings market has held up remarkably well.

Rents came under pressure as reluctant landlords brought properties onto the market, but as the house sales market hardened in the last few months, rents levels are slowly beginning to increase.

The RICS Q3 Lettings survey is predicting rent rises in the New Year as the number of properties available for renting falls.

There’s been no mass sell off by landlords and most indicate that they are in the business long-term, many looking to add housing stock as and when the opportunities arise—Landlord Magazine survey.

Demographic changes in our society bode well for the private rentals business long-term as it’s inevitable that a bigger proportion of the population will rent.

However, with tough economic times set to continue for some time, the big rise in rent arrears and evictions we’ve been seeing is also set to continue.

Landlords and agents need to consolidate and concentrate on good management to see this tough period through.

One aspect which can be a real headache for landlords is the problem of damp and condensation at this time of year. Here we look into this common problem.

Season’s Greetings, Tom Entwistle, Editor

Damp, Condensation and Mould:

People associate being a landlord with making pots of money. Hopefully, that’s the case, but it’s also possible to lose a lot of money as well.

A well known firm of specialist property Solicitors have related how they won a £20,000 compensation claim against a landlord, acting for a tenant who had developed health problems living in damp housing.

Dampness, condensation and mould growth are common risks, especially at this time of year, which landlords can be faced with.

These are really tricky problems and although more prevalent in older properties, they can affect new ones as well.

Judging by a spate of legal claims in the United States, damp, condensation and mould growth have the potential to become the new asbestos of tomorrow!

Being a successful landlord is not just about investing wisely: it’s also about managing risk and minimising potential loss. Living in an increasingly litigious culture means that landlords and agents should see risk management as a top priority.

Dampness in a property has basically four causes: (1) ingress of water, say from a leaky roof, gutters, walls, windows etc. (2) rising damp, from under floor areas due to lack of damp proof courses, bridging of these or inadequately tanked under soil areas such as basements (3) internal water pipe leaks, and finally (4) condensation.

All of these problems, over time, have a deleterious effect on traditional building materials, all of which have the ability to absorb large quantities of moisture and develop serious conditions. This can mean wet and dry rot in timbers, deterioration of plaster, masonry, furnishings and clothes, electrical systems, and perhaps more seriously for inhabitants, and landlords, mould spores.

All moulds have the potential to cause health problems and allergic reactions including eye, nose and throat irritation, coughs and breathing difficulty.

However, two mould species – Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus fumigatus – cause serious health risk mycotoxins which produce nausea, headaches, skin rashes and lung infections.

Of the damp problems mentioned, condensation is perhaps the most difficult to understand and to deal with; unfortunately for the landlord it’s more prevalent in tenanted properties!
To find out why this is the case, and how to deal with damp and condensation, read this newsletter.

This issue is sponsored by: Cover4LetProperty

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