Bristol - The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) is warning tenants and landlords to avoid leaving discussions about damp and mould to the end of the tenancies.

The UK’s largest protector of deposits is urging tenants and landlords to talk openly throughout the tenancy and take a common sense approach to the subject instead of broaching it at the end — and risk falling into a dispute.

Matt Trevett, Managing Director at The DPS, said: “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 tenant(s) may need to change their approach.

“We’d always encourage tenants and landlords to discuss how best to address damp, mould or any other issue in order to find a solution together rather than waiting until after renters move out.”

The DPS said it anticipates an increase in tenants moving property this Spring following the Government’s lifting of pandemic-related restrictions.

The organisation has also provided four key guidelines that tenants and landlords can use to inform discussions about damp and mould inside a property:

1: Tenants should immediately report if the property has damp or mould

This will give a landlord the chance to remedy or improve the situation and improve renters’ comfort in the property

2: Dispassionately discuss the amount of damp and mould in the property

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

3: An information leaflet might not be appropriate

We have seen cases where landlords or agents who noticed evidence of damp during an inspection have simply handed the tenant a leaflet on ventilation, heating and avoiding condensation; without first checking the cause

4: Act if the issue is your 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, such as structural changes

 

ENDS

 

For any media enquiries

Sarah Chidgey
PR Manager +44 (0)370 702 0003 x1534
sarah.chidgey@computershare.co.uk

 

Notes

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About The DPS

The Deposit Protection Service’s custodial tenancy deposit protection scheme is accredited by the Government. It is provided free of charge, and funded entirely by the interest earned from deposits held in the scheme. The DPS was approved by the UK government to run an insured TDP scheme in September 2012 in addition to the approval it has already been granted by the UK government in respect of the custodial scheme. The DPS is run by Computershare Investor Services PLC. Online self-service allows landlords to register and make deposit payments, transfers and repayments 24 hours a day. Help and advice is available through a dedicated call centre during office hours. An impartial Dispute Resolution Service, helps to resolve any disputes quickly and without the need for court action.

 

About Computershare Limited (CPU)

Computershare (ASX: CPU) is a global market leader in transfer agency and share registration, employee equity plans, mortgage servicing, proxy solicitation and stakeholder communications. We also specialise in corporate trust, bankruptcy, class action and a range of other diversified financial and governance services.

Founded in 1978, Computershare is renowned for its expertise in high integrity data management, high volume transaction processing and reconciliations, payments and stakeholder engagement. Many of the world’s leading organisations use us to streamline and maximise the value of relationships with their investors, employees, creditors and customers.

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