Being a landlord has many advantages. It’s a great way to earn an income, a lot of maintenance work is tax deductible and the money you’re getting from your tenants can offer long-term security.
This doesn’t mean that being a landlord is always easy however and one of the biggest issues is that things can, and will, go wrong with the property. Not only can this be costly, it may also be time consuming finding the right person to do the repair work.
Condensation is one of the most common seasonal issues that British homeowners face and you shouldn’t just rely on your tenants to manage this issue for you. If you’re a landlord, below are six great ways to help you deal with condensation.
Allow proper ventilation
Efficient ventilation is one of the simplest and most effective ways of preventing condensation from forming. Although it may be difficult to convince tenants to open windows in the winter there are a number of ways you can improve the air-flow in a rental property, even without opening windows.
Ensure there’s an extractor fan fitted with a ‘humidity sensor’ in the bathroom and ask tenants not to turn off the isolation switch when they have a bath or shower. Also encourage them to use the extractor fan on the hob when cooking and if your condensation is particularly bad, you could install an additional extractor fan in the kitchen.
Insulate the property
Preventing condensation is much easier than attempting to cure it and one of the ways you can do this is by improving the insulation of your home.
If you don’t already have double glazing, it’s worth considering. It may seem like a big expense but it’s a selling point when trying to attract new tenants and it can prevent long-term problems. You can also insulate walls and your loft and with a number of free schemes for those who qualify, this option is well worth looking into.
Heat your home evenly
You can prevent condensation forming on cold surfaces by ensuring that your home is heated evenly. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature in every room and if there’s a room in your home that you don’t use often, keep the door closed. If you do this however, open the window for a couple hours each day to prevent condensation and mould developing.
Don’t dry clothes inside
If the property comes with outdoor space, provide a washing line so that tenants can dry their clothes outside. When we dry our clothes inside, excess moisture escapes into the property and causes condensation. If indoor drying is unavoidable, ask tenants to open a window in the room the clothes are being dried in.
Provide a dehumidifier
If you know that your property is prone to damp and condensation, install a dehumidifier and show your tenants how to use it. A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air and can dramatically help to reduce condensation.
Remove existing condensation
Try to encourage tenants to remove any traces of condensation as and when they see it. Provide them with a squeegee so they can clean any water droplets from windows, mirrors and glass shower dividers when it starts to build up. A soft towel can be used to remove it from walls and other surfaces.
If you would like more information about how to prevent condensation from forming in your property, feel free to visit our Condensation Control page or call us on 0808 273 2138 for more information.
