Maintenance Guide
Condensation
Condensation is often confused with damp. Damp is a serious problem which needs to be addressed by a professional. Interior mould, on the other hand, is often caused by condensation. It is what happens when moist air condenses on cold surfaces, which is why it spikes in the winter.
To beat condensation, remember this easy acronym: HIVE (heating, insulation, ventilation and extraction). The key is keeping your home warm, even when you aren’t there.
Remember to regularly ventilate by opening your windows and use an extractor fan to get rid of steam while you’re cooking or taking a shower, to prevent excess moisture escaping into your property, as well as regularly wiping any moisture that builds up on your windows Here are some small yet vital measures you should take:
- If possible, dry your clothes outside to avoid excess moisture. However If you have no choice but to dry clothes inside we would always advise that you open your doors or windows in these rooms.
- When cooking, boiling a kettle, taking a shower or bath, ensure that your kitchen or bathroom door are kept closed to prevent steam going into colder rooms which will cause condensation to form.
- When cooking, ensure that you have opened a window or you are using an extractor fan if you have one fitted. Don’t turn off the extractor fan or close the window as soon as you finish cooking - leave it open for 15-20 minutes afterwards to clear the air.
- Try not to overfill your bedroom wardrobes and kitchen cupboards. With lack of ventilation and trapped warm air your overfilled cupboards are a breeding ground for mould as the air is not able to circulate freely inside.
- For the same reason as above, make sure that your furniture is at least 50mm away from the surrounding walls so that air can move around the property. Also try to put wardrobes against internal walls in your bedroom which will be less cold than external walls
- Ensuring an adequate amount of heating in your property will improve the internal temperature of surfaces in the house and reduce the likelihood of condensation.
- If you use a room on a regular basis, such as a living room, open a window slightly to improve the ventilation in the room. Breathing is a major cause of condensation so this will help to improve the ventilation in your property.
General Cleaning
We encourage tenants to maintain the cleanliness of the property to a high level throughout the tenancy. Keeping good habits such as this avoids the possibility of mice, rats, ant infestation, mould and stains which may be harder to remove further down the line.
A common occurrence is the state of the oven, as it is an often neglected aspect of the kitchen with regards to regular cleaning, and can lead to a build up of food, stains and dirt which is difficult to remove at a later stage.
The extractor fan above the hob is another aspect of the Kitchen where we recommend keeping an eye on and regularly cleaning and wiping to avoid it becoming so dirty with splashes of oil, food and dirt that it stops working and serving its purpose. The extractor not working can also contribute to condensation as outlined in the above section, so be careful not to neglect this as it is your (the tenant’s) responsibility.
Battery Powered Appliances, Bulbs & Keys
With regards to items such as Light Bulbs and Smoke Alarms, it is the responsibility of you (the tenant) to ensure they function as far replacing batteries and changing bulbs.
Some properties have doorbells which may also be battery operated, as well as properties with an entrance gate for which a battery powered electronic key is provided. Likewise, the replacing of batteries when necessary is your (the tenant’s) responsibility.
In certain properties you may also be provided with an electronic Key Fob, which is chargeable if you (the tenant) are to lose one. Standard Keys are also chargeable if lost and were originally provided by the landlord (or managing agent).
Garden Maintenance
The garden must be maintained throughout the tenancy. Either the Landlord (or managing agent) will contract a gardener to maintain the garden or expect the tenant to maintain it.
Neglecting the garden can lead to overgrowth which can be very expensive and complicated to resolve at a later stage. We therefore recommend keeping an eye on the growth of the grass in the garden, ensuring it is maintained to the satisfactory standard in which it was given.