With proactive maintenance essential to protecting both properties and the health and wellbeing of occupants, George Edwards, managing director of Timberwise, outlines the five key property care issues landlords should prioritise.
1. Ensure extractor fans are working effectively
Trapped moisture can cause a wide range of issues. Extractor fans must be fit for purpose and run for at least 20 minutes after cooking and 30 minutes after showering.
In a London flat I surveyed recently, the kitchen reached 79 per cent humidity because the extractor fan was inadequate and used inconsistently. Moisture pooled, creating ideal conditions for black mould to grow.
2. Repair defects that make surfaces colder and wetter
At one property, we found slipped roof tiles, defective chimney mortar and render bridging the damp-proof course. Another had a blocked drainage gully, causing water to splash back onto the brickwork, along with cracked render on the front elevation.
These defects allow moisture to penetrate the building fabric, while poor ventilation traps it inside. Roofs, gutters, external walls and window frames should be checked regularly, or else landlords end up fighting moisture on two fronts.”
3. Maintain modest, consistent heating
Properties where living rooms are kept warm but bedrooms are deliberately left cold experience the worst condensation. Cold rooms with poor air movement are where wet windows and mould typically appear. You don’t need to heat every room to 22 degrees, but a steady, modest background temperature throughout winter can prevent many problems.
4. Check vents are clear and correctly installed
Blocked or poorly installed vents are often overlooked, but inadequate ventilation can accelerate condensation-related damp and black mould. Basements are particularly vulnerable. As temperatures drop, high humidity quickly turns into condensation if ventilation is insufficient.”
5. Address defective guttering promptly
Overflowing, leaking, or poorly draining gutters can all lead to penetrating damp. If left unchecked, water ingress can damage brickwork and internal features such as wallpaper and plasterboard.
“The fundamental issue is that modern homes are sealed tight,” Edwards explained, “Double glazing, draught-proofing and insulation are all excellent for heat retention, but we’ve failed to account for the moisture created every day by cooking, washing, showering, and simply breathing.”
The scale of the challenge is significant, with an estimated one in ten social rented homes falling below the official definition of a decent home.
Edwards concluded, “For landlords and property owners, the crucial shift is that you can no longer rely on tenants flagging problems once they’ve already become serious. The focus has to be on identifying and addressing risks before they develop.”
