Landlords across England now face civil penalties of up to £7,000 if they fail to carry out proactive property maintenance and address serious hazards in their rented properties, following the introduction of new enforcement powers under the Renters' Rights Act.
The powers, which came into force this week, give local authorities greater ability to act where landlords fail to resolve hazards such as damp and mould, unsafe electrics and other conditions that present a risk to tenants.
Damp and mould, however, are often symptoms of an underlying property issue that landlords need to fix if they want to avoid financial penalties.
Adam Hewitt, technical manager at disaster restoration and specialist cleaning firm Rainbow Restoration, believes the new legislation sends a clear message: effective property maintenance is no longer just good practice, it is essential.
"Damp and mould are usually symptoms of underlying issues such as hidden water leaks, roof defects, inadequate ventilation, condensation, or previous water damage," Hewitt explains.
"Simply removing visible mould without addressing the source of the moisture means the problem is likely to return.
"Excess moisture can create the conditions for mould growth within as little as 48 to 72 hours, while also increasing the risk of damage to the building and potentially affecting the health of those living in the property," he adds.
"The focus should always be on identifying the cause before treating the symptoms," he says. "Whether that's a concealed plumbing leak or moisture trapped within the structure of the building, landlords need to understand why mould has developed if they want to achieve a lasting solution."
The introduction of stronger enforcement powers is expected to place greater emphasis on preventative property maintenance rather than reactive repairs.
Property maintenance: prevention over cure
Early intervention can prevent minor defects from developing into significant structural problems, costly remediation projects and potential enforcement action. Landlords are encouraged to focus on:
- carrying out regular property inspections
- investigating any signs of water ingress promptly
- addressing the underlying cause of a defect, not just the visible symptom
"The cost of investigating a moisture issue early is almost always significantly lower than dealing with widespread mould contamination, extensive property damage and disruption to tenants," Hewitt says.
"Good property management has always been about identifying problems early, resolving the underlying cause and protecting both the property and the people living in it. The new legislation reinforces that approach."
