Condensation and mould

Housing associations and local authorities responsible for management of housing stock, along with their specialist advisors, are to be offered advance access to the UK’s first Ventilation MOT® which has been specifically designed to establish the adequacy, or otherwise, of the ventilation measures installed in an existing home.
 
David Bly, Director of Cornerstone Professional Services (UK) Ltd, the organisation behind the Ventilation MOT®, explains why social housing providers and their advisors are being offered first adopter status, “Inadequate ventilation, or, as it’s referred to in the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, “not enough ventilation”, can be a major contributor to condensation and mould growth in a home. If a property is a recently built one, then there’s a chance that one of the recognised ventilation systems in Approved Document F has been installed and it can be demonstrated that there is “adequate means of ventilation provided for people in the building”. It’s a completely different situation in older properties which make up the vast majority of the housing stock and that’s where the Ventilation MOT® will prove very useful to social housing landlords. As a key process in the Property MOT® platform, it will let them know where they stand in terms of ventilation adequacy and what, if anything, they need to do to get there”

Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia is sharing ways to help take of your lungs and protect your household from indoor air pollution during Love Your Lungs week, which takes place 21 - 27 June 2021. Indoor air pollution can affect lung health and is linked to increased risk of pneumonia, COPD and lung cancer. If an asthma sufferer has an allergic reaction to a pollutant in the air, this can also make asthma symptoms worse. Vent-Axia has been committed to protecting public health by improving indoor air quality since 1936. As part of this commitment, Vent-Axia is therefore supporting the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Love Your Lungs campaign, which raises awareness of lung health.

Condensation and mould can be a recurring problem for many landlords and their residents. During the pandemic this has been a bigger problem due to people spending more time at home and generating more moisture which can lead to condensation and mould. So, what can landlords do to tackle the issue and keep mould at bay? James Kane, from condensation and mould control specialist Airtech Solutions, explains how housing associations can avoid disrepair cases and provide healthy homes for their residents by working with specialist companies that offer surveying, mould treatment and ventilation.

Adequate ventilation is of crucial importance to the overall maintenance and protection of your property and its inhabitants.

The build-up of condensation within the roof space remains an issue as the industry moves towards more energy efficient buildings.  For many homeowners, the big consideration when it comes to energy saving is insulation. Whilst this is an important aspect for keeping your house warm and reducing energy costs, the need for roof ventilation should not be neglected as this could lead to serious and indeed costly repercussions.

By ensuring you have an adequate level of roof ventilation in your roof you can make significant strides towards preventing the build-up of condensation and the associated problems of damp that this causes.

Housing Associations and their residents have faced many challenges during the COVID Pandemic, not least of all undertaking repairs and maintenance. Whilst some minor issues can be delayed, it is essential homes remain habitable and safe so some repairs and ongoing maintenance can still be carried out. But how can this be done safely? James Kane, from condensation and mould control specialist Airtech Solutions, explains more on what steps both engineers and households can take to protect each other during work in a home.

Condensation and mould presents a real issue for landlords. Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 it’s a legal requirement that rental properties are fit for human habitation, including having effective ventilation and being free from damp. Therefore it’s essential that landlords ensure their properties are protected. Jeremy Cleeter from condensation and mould control specialist Airtech shares his top tips for staying on top of this enduring problem.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently issued draft guidelines relating to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) which will be of particular interest to UK social housing landlords. In the consultation document NICE encourages landlords to be aware of the air quality in their residents’ homes, a subject that is becoming an increasingly vital issue in the UK. The final NICE document is scheduled for publication in December but the need for improved IAQ in the home is clear.