Managing Mould: Tips for property managers

21 July 2022

After months of torrential rain, property managers across New South Wales are being inundated with complaints from tenants about mould. And now, with temperatures plummeting, the problem is set to worsen.

Mould. It’s a word that evokes a feeling of dread for most property managers.

It’s important to figure out what’s causing the mould and fix the underlying problem – otherwise it will continue to occur, regardless of how thoroughly the affected area has been cleaned.

A leaky roof, broken pipes, cracked roof tiles and windows left open while it’s raining can all cause moisture to enter a property. Or tenants could be creating moisture themselves through air drying clothes indoors, running appliances without an exhaust outlet, or by over-heating in winter.

Unfortunately, once mould has taken hold, it can reoccur again and again. Mould spores can lay dormant when the environment is against them, but will be reinvigorated once moisture laden conditions are allowed to reoccur.

This is why it’s essential for property managers to take mould seriously to manage tenants’ expectations and protect their landlords’ investments.

Tips for property managers

Here are some tips if you’re faced with a mould problem in a property you manage.

• Inspect the property. Where a tenant complains about mould, always attend the property to locate the problem, assess the extent of any damage and decide on next steps.

• Professional advice. If the problem is serious or the cause is not clear, seek advice from an expert and obtain a detailed report.

• Act quickly. Cleaning, maintenance and repairs should be carried out as quickly as possible to limit damage and reduce the risk of the problem reoccurring.

• Communicate with landlords. Ensure your landlords understand what their responsibilities are and the potential issues that may arise if they don’t adequately maintain the property.

• Educate tenants. Provide a fact sheet to all tenants about the importance of ensuring proper ventilation in the property and educate them about how to avoid mould occurring.

• Keep records. Document all complaints and the action that has been taken. Detailed records will be essential should the tenant seek to break the lease or make a claim for damage caused to their possessions.

Preventing mould

As the saying goes, prevention is better than a cure, so be sure to educate tenants about how their actions may be contributing to a mould problem.

• Reduce indoor humidity with good ventilation and regular airing of the property. Keep ventilators and exhaust fans clear of fluff. Ensure air vents are not blocked.

• Keep the temperature even throughout the property. Try not to let one room get warmer or colder than the next.

• Allow the sun to shine into the property wherever possible by opening blinds and curtains during the day.

• Remove any sign of mould growth on walls, ceilings and furniture as soon as it develops. Wipe dry any surface where condensation appears, particularly in bathrooms. Clean, vacuum and dust regularly to keep bacteria to a minimum.

• Dry clothes outdoors where possible. When drying indoors (either on racks or using a clothes dryer), ventilate the room and ensure there is external air extraction.