Mould in Rental Properties

While Australia is known as the ‘sunburnt country’, throw in a few rainy days or a house in a damp area and you will have the problem of mould.

As property managers, mould is an issue we come across regularly. It can cause issues between tenants and landlords, who disagree over who is responsible for causing it and removing it.

Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about mould in rental properties if you are a landlord or tenant:

What is mould?

Mould is a type of fungus that grows in moist and humid places. Usually green or black in colour, it can be found almost everywhere where there is humidity or moisture for a long period.

Bathrooms, basements and cupboards present the ideal conditions for mould to grow. When things are constantly damp or if there is little ventilation and not a lot of natural light, you will notice mould starts to find its way onto walls, tiles, carpets, towels and even belongings like handbags and shoes.

Sometimes, mould can live inside walls or ceiling cavities. There will be no visual evidence but there is likely to be a strong smell and a ‘damp feeling’ in the area.

As well as being unattractive, mould can cause allergic reactions, watery eyes, skin rashes and respiratory problems. This can be especially problematic for people who have asthma or other breathing conditions.

While Perth’s climate is relatively dry, mould can still be a problem in properties that don’t get a lot of airflows or natural light, particularly in riverside areas around Perth. As well as being damaging to people’s health, mould can impact the value of a home so it is important to take steps to be as mould-free as possible.

Mould and the tenant’s responsibilities

The tenants must keep the property they lease as clean and dry as possible to prevent mould from growing.

When it comes to mould, the tenants must:

• always keep the property reasonably clean
• inform the lessor regarding any damages to the premises as soon as possible
• take reasonable steps to limit or avoid the loss

Your landlord may be able to hold you responsible for there being mould if the mould is caused by you, for example, you have not been allowing air into the bathroom or if you haven’t wiped down the inside of the kitchen cupboards for a long time. If this is the case, it could be your responsibility to clean the mould and you may be held accountable for any financial losses caused by mould.

Landlord responsibilities for mould in rental properties

As the property owner, you must:

• provide the premises in a reasonably clean state
• maintain the premises in a reasonable state repair
• mitigate loss (take reasonable steps to limit or avoid loss)

Scenario

As an example, if the roof has begun to leak, it is the landlord’s responsibility to fix the leakage as soon as it is practical to avoid the development of mould in the premises. The tenant is responsible to ensure to allow as much ventilation to the area while the repair is being arranged.

An ongoing mould problem can categorise property as in a ‘state of disrepair'. This may be a breach of the tenancy contract and action may be taken.

If an agreement can’t be reached about who is responsible for either causing mould to grow or cleaning it up so the house is safe to live in, either person can lodge an application at the Magistrates Court.

Worried about mould in your rental property?

Tenants must keep their rental property clean and ventilated in order to prevent mould from forming. They can do this by opening doors and windows and wiping down the insides of cupboards from time to time.

Landlords must ensure the home is in a good state, with ventilation options and no leaks, so they are providing a mould-free home.

If you are concerned about mould in your rental property, contact your property manager to discuss this or you can reach and we will be able to assist you.

Perth One are some of Perth’s leading property managers. We go the extra mile for our clients to have the best possible experience. Contact us to find out more.