Winter is upon us and like most Australians at this
time of the year, rugging up has become part and parcel of everyday life.
When it comes to our homes though, rugging them up
too much can invite an unwanted visitor – mould!
When determining who is responsible for fixing or
paying to fix a problem with mould, a lot comes down to who or what contributed
to the problem.
In cases where mould is caused by condensation,
whether that be as a result of heating, showering, clothes drying or the like,
it is likely to be the responsibility of the property's occupants (the
Renter/Tenant).
Where we find roof leaks and rising dampness, it is
likely to be the property owner’s responsibility to make good the mould (the
Residential Rental Provider/Landlord).
Like most things in life though, not everything is
clear cut and, in many cases, you will find that there is actually a number of
contributors to mould development in a property.
So what can you do to avoid mould build-up on your
property?
As the occupant of the property, you can:
Make sure that you clean and use the exhaust fans;
not just those in the bathrooms and toilets but also the fans in the kitchen
and laundry as a lot of moisture actually comes from cooking and clothes
drying!
Leave your windows, doors, and curtains open when
you can to ensure that you have sufficient natural light and airflow to dry out
the water created by condensation. It’s tempting to close doors and rooms
off to help heat your home efficiently but it’s important that you also open
those doors during the day to allow air to circulate.
If you have a split system, try running it on the
dry cycle for the first or last hour of the day.
You can also regularly wipe over windowsills and
skirting boards to remove excessive condensation.
There are also a number of moisture-absorbent
products available from your supermarket, perfect for placing in wardrobes and
cupboards.
It’s also important to be mindful of the number of
indoor houseplants you have, as they too will contribute to the amount of
moisture in the air in your home!
Regular vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning in kitchens
and bathrooms help prevent mould. The earlier you find and remove mould, the
easier it is to keep it under control. It’s much harder to remove mould once it
takes hold.
And as the owner of the property you can:-
Make sure that your property’s gutters are
regularly cleaned to prevent leaks.
Ensure that windows and fly screens are maintained
and in good working order.
If the exhaust fans aren’t easily reached, you may
want to engage a professional to clean them annually.
Install or supply a dehumidifier on the property.
When painting mould-prone areas, like bathrooms and
laundries, invest in good quality mould-resistant paint.
Make sure that trees, shrubs, and garden beds are
kept free and clear of the building itself to allow light and air in and around
the building.
Again, if the mould persists, call in a
professional.
If you do find mould, then we recommend that you:
Remove all of your furniture and other items away
from the area.
Dispose of any items affected by mould immediately
or carefully clean and dry them.
Remove/clean mould from affected areas if
reasonable for you to do so.
For tips and tricks on removing mould please visit
the following websites:
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/living/health-safety-savings/mould?merge_chapters=true#chapter-529898
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/mould-removal-at-home
https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/public-community-housing/public-housing-tenants/looking-after-your-home/safety/mould
And remember if you are a tenant, and mould
persists, contact your Property Manager.
RealRenta has all the tools that a property manager has but for
less than ¼ the cost of a property manager.
Join now and the cost is less than a cup of coffee a week to manage your
rental property
RealRenta also has a free vision, so why not check it out
Jason Gwerder
Tuesday, 5 July 2022
