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BANISH MOULD AND COLD FROM YOUR SYDNEY HOME
As we move into the colder months of the year, it's time to start thinking about the effects that the chilly weather can have and the damage it can cause. We certainly need to help our tenants stay warm and dry, and their homes free of mould.
If your property is occupied by tenants, it can make it tricky for you in getting them to do the right thing, but making everyone aware that it is necessary to tackle this issue ahead of time is certainly the best way to look at things. We’ve found that a tenant welcome kit that includes information about keeping a window open when cooking or showering, or using an exhaust fan if you have one installed. Just these simple fixes can help to avoid mould. And in your kit, you can recommend that tenants purchase items like draught stoppers for exterior doors.
Banishing mould from your home or a rental property
Mould is a type of fungus that develops in damp conditions. Condensation is a big factor that contributes to the problem. Once mould begins to form, it can progress substantially before your tenant becomes aware of it. As it continues to progress, the cost of treatment also grows with it. If you have had mould in the house before, you need to attend to the affected areas with special mould cleaning solutions or call in experts who know how to deal with this. Mould can cause serious health issues and needs to be dealt with promptly.
Just as you would think about protecting yourself from the cold on a wintery day so that you don’t get sick, you should also do your best to protect your property from getting too damp so that it doesn’t end up developing mould. You can do this by taking preventative measures that help keep the mould at bay.
Your ultimate aim is to keep the house dry and aired so that you don’t provide the mould with its favourite environment to thrive in.
If your property happens to be vacant during winter, you could bring in a mould inspection company to measure the amount of mould spores in the air. This way you will be aware of what you are dealing with. You might find that it isn’t your tenants at fault: you might learn your roof has a leak, or a bedroom has insufficient air flow, or the bricks on the exterior need to be repointed. It’s better to be aware of any issue before the cost of repair becomes prohibitive.
Help you and your tenants stay warm
If you’ve owned the property for a while, you might be aware of any issues that could make the home cold in winter and harder to heat. It is also worth bringing to mind that as your tenants are living in the property, they are in the best position to help with controlling the situation.
Your tenants will notice any draughts as soon as cold weather hits. As even a small gap around a window or door can add up to what is a big hole, it’s ideal to address this before severe draughts become a problem for tenants. Weather strips, especially self-adhesive strips easily available from your local hardware store, are easy to install and prove effective in plugging the gaps that allow draughts. A tight property will hold the heat longer and feel warmer. Your tenants will feel more comfortable and save on heating costs.
You might ask your property manager to recommend that tenants use draught stoppers for exterior doors, or the bathroom door if they keep the window open always. We’ve found that in the very humid weather we experience in Sydney over the summer, it can be worthwhile running a heater for a few hours to dry out the air.
Need help with your St George home?
If you’d like no-obligation expert advice about your St George home, please get in touch with our team. We’re here to help.