What Landlords And Tenants Can Do About Mould In Rental Homes
Summer, with its high temperatures, humidity and rainfall, is just around the corner – and that means mould season is on the way too.
In this blog, we take a look at what both tenants and landlords can do to fix and prevent mould in rental properties.
TL;DR
- Mould is a serious health hazard that can make a property unfit to rent, requiring attention and action from multiple parties involved in a tenancy – the tenant, the rental provider, and in some cases, the agent.
- Once a tenant has identified the signs of mould infestation and made a report, it's important to identify the cause of the problem and take steps to resolve it, often by hiring a professional.
- The best way to prevent mould growth on your property is by ensuring proper ventilation and structural soundness. Many owners hire a property manager to take care of ongoing maintenance issues such as this.
What is mould?
Mould is a fungal growth that thrives in damp, steamy, dark and poorly ventilated conditions. It's common in the wetter months, and bathrooms, kitchens, overcrowded storage areas, behind furniture and wall and roof spaces are all at risk. There are also several different types of mould, from mildew on clothes and shoes to hazardous black mould on bathroom ceilings.
Large quantities of mould spores can be a health hazard that makes the property unsafe, leaving tenants at risk of allergic reactions and respiratory issues.
What causes mould?
The causes of household mould are many and varied, but they include:
- rain leaks through the roof or walls
- plumbing leaks
- surface water leaks
- water damage from severe weather events such as storms
- inadequate ventilation
- rising damp
- showering, cooking, boiling water, using clothes dryers or gas heaters without adequate ventilation (such as open windows and exhaust fans)
- liquid spills (particularly those that make the carpet wet)
- storing water-absorbent items, such as books, cardboard boxes or clothes, in a damp area
What should I do if there's mould in my rental home?
Mould needs to be dealt with both quickly and thoroughly to prevent it from causing potentially serious health problems for tenants, such as asthma or respiratory infections. Cleaning mould and taking care of mould damage could be the responsibility of the tenant or the landlord, depending on what caused the mould.
Who is responsible for mould in a rental property?
If a mould problem exists before a tenancy agreement is in place, the latest minimum standards for housing dictate that the rental provider must arrange and cover the cost of repairs before taking on a new tenant. If a landlord fails to do so, this would be considered a breach of current laws surrounding minimum housing standards. Condition report documents, like those overseen by NSW Fair Trading, exist for this purpose – to hold the rental provider accountable for protecting tenants against potential health issues.
Is it the tenant's responsibility to remove mould?
If signs of a mould problem arise after a tenant has moved in, the first step is for tenants to report the mould issue to the landlord or property manager. If the mould damage is found to be caused by pre-existing maintenance issues – for example, a leaky roof, rising damp or the absence of sufficient ventilation or extractor fans on the premises – landlords may be responsible for arranging an urgent repair.
However, if the mould is caused by renters' failure to maintain a reasonable state of cleanliness – for example, by ensuring adequate ventilation after using hot water in the bathroom – then they may be the party responsible for repair under the rental agreement, and, in some cases, required to pay compensation.
The cost of repairing a breach raised in a condition report can vary widely, depending on the complexity of the issue. For any disputes about the responsible party, renters generally contact the Residential Tenancies Authority for further advice, and in some cases, the Administrative Tribunal for legal action or resolution.
Can you break a lease due to black mould?
Due to the health risks that black mould presents, a tenancy agreement may be considered void if a landlord fails to conduct repairs. Tenants may be owed compensation for any losses suffered due to a mould infestation. As a landlord, it's important to know your rights and responsibilities under the law in cases where urgent repairs are required.
How long do landlords have to fix problems in Queensland?
The law states that landlords generally have a minimum of seven days to arrange a repair after receiving a Notice to Remedy Breach; however, more urgent action may be required depending on the repairs requested.
How to remove mould
If signs of mould have recently appeared that were not listed on a tenant's entry condition report, it may be possible to fix the problem without engaging in serious or urgent repairs, particularly where the problem was not caused by a fault in the building structure.
For example, in some cases, mould can be fixed with a "home remedy" solution of 80 per cent white spirit vinegar and 20 per cent water.
However, a serious mould problem on the premises may require assessment and repairs by a specialist, and may also make the property unsafe to rent in the interim.
It's no surprise that prevention is better than a cure!
How to prevent mould in your rental property
Preventing household mould in rental properties requires both the tenant and the landlord to do their bit to prevent damp caused by moisture build-up in the home.
The presence of mould is a strong indicator of poor ventilation. To combat this, tenants should open windows and doors as frequently as possible to encourage airflow from the inside, out. Using a fan can also help with this – and if windows cannot be opened, an air purifier that removes particles from the air is a good backup option.
Extractor fans should be turned on when showering or cooking, and a dehumidifier can help remove moisture from damp corners or rooms. Keeping areas like bathrooms and kitchens clean can also help prevent mould from growing.
What can landlords do to keep their investment property mould-free?
Landlords should make sure that their rental property meets minimum ventilation requirements to prevent health risks from causing issues with a tenancy. Here are some recommendations and requirements stipulated by the Residential Tenancy Authority:
- Openings such as windows and doors must be at least five per cent of the size of the floor area of a room. If the opening is large enough, it can also ventilate an adjoining room.
- Exhaust fans can be installed in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
- Large apartment buildings may use mechanical air-handling systems to control ventilation via ducts.
Carrying out repairs on the premises within a reasonable time is another way landlords can help prevent mould. For example, fixing a leaking pipe sooner rather than later can ensure moisture doesn't build up, meaning that mould doesn't have the chance to grow.
Finally, if you're looking to outsource the stresses of managing your rental property, working with a company that takes a personalised property management approach is key.
Kathy Brown from Aurora Realty says that personalised property management is key to maximising value and minimising stress.
"The right agent will see the value in your property and make a concerted effort to not only find the right tenants, but also keep them happy long-term."
The bottom line
Stopping mould in its tracks requires a combination of steps, from detecting the source of the problem by paying close attention to moisture build-up, ventilation and cleaning, to examining the premises for issues in need of urgent repair. Often, it requires landlords and tenants to communicate and work together.
If you are a landlord or rental provider looking to comply with and exceed minimum standards in your property, the team at Aurora Property is here to help.
Choose the right real estate agent for your property
Aurora Property provides further advice for landlords on a range of property management matters, including the latest updates on your responsibilities and minimum standards under the law.
To find out more about how we can help you, contact our specialist team via our contact page or call (07) 3399 3744.
And, finally…
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