The Deposit Protection Service is warning landlords not to delay discussions about damp and mould until the end of the tenancies. DPS managing director Matt Trevett comments: “The circumstances that lead to damp or mould developing can vary: if the problem is structural, the onus may be on the landlord to find a solution but, if the issue is caused by tenant behaviour, the tenants may need to change their approach.”

The organisation has provided four guidelines landlords can use to inform discussions about damp and mould inside a property. It says that tenants should immediately report if the property has damp or mould to give the landlord the chance to remedy the situation. Landlords should dispassionately discuss the amount of damp and mould in the property as a very small amount of damp or mould in a room, while requiring some remedy, does not mean that tenants can claim to live rent free at a property

Thirdly, an information leaflet might not be appropriate as the DPS has seen cases where an inspection has revealed evidence of damp, but the tenant has simply been handed a leaflet on ventilation, heating and avoiding condensation; without first checking the cause.

Lastly, landlords should act as if the issue is their responsibility. While some damp and mould problems can be solved by tenants’ adapting different behaviour, for example, improving ventilation to rooms with tumble driers, landlords should recognise when the issue needs their involvement to resolve the problem.