Damp proofing, wet rot, woodworm and property refurbishment services in Dorset and Hampshire
1/5 rented properties were found to have problems with damp by consumer charity Which?, who carried out a survey on 30 property viewings and their letting agents.
Which?, an organisation dedicated to helping consumers across the UK, attended 30 property viewings across England and Scotland undercover and the results revealed shocking inadequacy in the knowledge of letting agents, with damp problems noted as one of the leading issues experienced by renters.
Despite 20% of the rental properties viewed suffering from some type of damp problem, none of the letting agents were able to commit to fixing them and over half failed to provide key documentation that the undercover researchers expected.
There was also a shocking discrepancy in several properties between the images advertised online and what they looked like, often with signs of damp obscured. With an increasing number of people in the UK expected to rent rather than buy, these shortcomings reveal a system that is in desperate need of reform. 41% of tenants surveyed revealed that they had experienced problems with damp since moving into a property, with 33% also citing condensation as an issue.
Apart from the potential reputational damage a letting agent could experience due to faulty advertising and poor service, they also have a duty of care for tenants of the houses they rent out. According to property expert Kate Faulkner, properties with damp problems should never be made available for viewing.
Though Which? highlighted that letting agents needed to develop much further in order to meet the standards of their tenants, regulations started to become stricter on letting agents this year. A rogue landlord and letting agency database was set up in April 2018, which means that local councils across the UK can check to ensure that blacklisted letting agents and landlords remain out of action.
It is generally agreed that there is a severe lack of clear Governing regulation to keep letting agents in check, nevertheless, local councils can bring letting agents and landlords to account for renting out houses with safety hazards and those that fail to offer sufficient living standards.
This can encompass homes with damp problems, as more than ever before the damaging affects of damp and mould on our health is well-documented and acknowledged by respected bodies such as the NHS. This means that letting agents who rent out properties with damp could face fines worth thousands and even be registered as rogue.
Don’t put your letting agency in Dorset or Hampshire at risk by renting properties with damp problems, as this could lead to fines and blacklisting. We can carry out an entire service for you, from the initial damp inspection through to damp treatment and repairs, so you can rest assured you are meeting necessary health and safety requirements for your tenants. Get in touch today on 01202 737739.
Air bricks may seem like small, unassuming fixtures, but they play a vital role in the health and integrity of your home. Particularly in properties with suspended timber floors, these ventilation tools can help prevent serious issues such as damp, condensation, and even structural damage.
Rising damp is an all-too-common issue that can affect homes of all shapes and sizes, especially older properties. It can cause problems like damp patches, mould, and even structural damage - issues that can be both expensive and time-consuming to fix.
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