Managing mould in a rental
Even the lightest, brightest and airiest of homes can experience a little mould from time to time, particularly if the property has endured a prolonged period of wet weather.
So, how do you manage that mould if the property’s a rental and when does the problem go beyond the renter’s responsibility and become an issue for the property manager and owner?
The lowdown on mould
Mould is a type of fungi that thrives in damp environments, whether that’s indoors or outside. While the spores are always present in the air, it’s only when they encounter a suitably damp surface that they begin to germinate.
And make no mistake, excessive mould can be harmful for your health, particularly if you have respiratory issues such as asthma. That’s why it’s important to identify it, find the underlying cause and eliminate mould as quickly as possible.
Reasons for mould
In properties, you tend to see mould occur in three clear situations:
- After prolonged wet weather
- In damp, poorly ventilated areas such as a bathroom or laundry
- At the site of a water leak or water ingress
As a result there tend to be two common types of mould that you might find in a rental property:
- Surface mould – which pops up on walls, ceilings, clothes, woodwork and even windows.
- Ingrained mould – which might come through a ceiling, wall, or wood.
Preventing mould
Preventing mould in any property is all about reducing the damp areas where it can germinate. This involves ensuring the areas which may be prone to mould are adequately ventilated and have sufficient airflow.
For example, in bathrooms, you should open the window or use the exhaust fan when showering, and in laundries, you should open the door or window when you’re using the dryer.
Meanwhile, if mould does start appearing as a result of poor ventilation or wet weather, it’s important to deal with it as soon as possible.
The CSIRO notes local patches of mould can be treated with bleach, vinegar or mould killer. And the room should be kept dry afterwards to prevent recurrence.
When to call your property manager
If the mould is appearing beyond the property’s typical wet areas, it may be the sign of a bigger issue. At this stage it’s a good idea to let your property manager know.
This type of mould might indicate a problem with the building such as rising damp, a roof leak, or plumbing issue that needs to be dealt with.
Meanwhile, if the mould is persistent, despite your best efforts to ventilate the property, you should also reach out to your property manager.
Mould can sometimes be alleviated by trimming trees to allow more light and air, or by installing fans throughout the home, and exhaust systems in wet areas.
