Landlord Advisory Bulletin - Condensation

Landlord Advisory Bulletin

Subject: Condensation, Lifestyle & Legal Liability – What Landlords Must Know

🔎 Overview: A Noticeable Trend in Tenancy Maintenance

Over the past 24 months, we have seen a sharp increase in reports of condensation and surface mould in rental properties across Yorkshire particularly in older terraced and semi-detached homes. it is essential that landlords understand how cultural norms, heating practices, and lifestyle habits can unintentionally lead to serious issues such as internal damp, tenant complaints, and even legal claims for disrepair.

💧 Why This Happens: Lifestyle vs. Building Design

Common contributing factors include:

• Keeping windows and curtains closed for most of the day (to preserve heat or maintain privacy);

• Avoiding gas heating due to cost, leading to cold surfaces and excess humidity;

• Indoor clothes drying on radiators and furniture without ventilation;

• Boiling or stewing food without extractor fans or lids;

• Bathing with buckets or over-filling bathtubs, causing floor spillages;

• Lack of regular airflow, especially in bedrooms with high occupancy.

Combined, these practices create conditions where moisture is trapped indoors, forming condensation on windows, walls and ceilings, often mistaken by tenants for “damp” or disrepair.

⚠️ The Legal Risk: Disrepair Claims

In several recent cases, tenants have sought legal advice or initiated claims alleging the presence of damp and mould constitutes statutory disrepair. However, where we have:

• Provided a property in clean, dry condition at check-in;

• Supplied guidance on managing condensation;

• Conducted inspections showing no structural damp;

• Offered support and maintenance reporting tools;

We urge all landlords to ensure these measures are recorded and implemented.

📑 What We Recommend Going Forward

To protect your investment and your legal position, we advise the following:

✅ At Tenancy Start:

• Ensure tenants sign a Lifestyle Acknowledgment Form added into your AST. Ours already withing our AST

• Provide clear, multilingual guides on ventilation, heating, and condensation prevention;

• Explain the costs and importance of adequate heating and extractor fan usage.

🛠 During Tenancy:

• Maintain regular interim inspections, especially in colder months;

• Offer written reminders on winter heating schedules and ventilation routines;

• Record any evidence of indoor laundry drying, closed curtains, or blocked airflow;

• Use photos and timestamps as documentation.

🚪 At Check-Out:

• Compare against the original inventory and record any preventable condensation-related damage;

• Document if tenants failed to report issues through correct channels.

📣 Our Role at 247 Property Services

We are already:

• Monitoring high-risk properties more frequently;

• Providing tailored advice to tenants;

• Creating materials that address cultural housing practices;

• Supporting landlords during the claims process.

We are here to advise, protect, and educate, ensuring that both landlords and tenants are set up for success.

📞 Need Support?

If you have concerns about a property you currently let, or are experiencing repeat issues with condensation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We can:

• Arrange a lifestyle inspection;

• Provide a humidity/mould risk report;

• Issue formal tenant guidance;

• Act as liaison with insurers or solicitors where needed.