FEBRUARY 2025 | VOLUME 63 | ISSUE 1


Inadequate heating causes a rise in mould complaints


A new report from Uswitch has found that more than 60% of households in England have encountered mould, with eff orts to economise on heating costs thought to be the main cause


The fi ndings in the ‘Mouldy Nation’ report are based on complaints submitted to local authorities and housing associations, shedding light on the widespread nature of the problem and its connection to fi nancial diffi culties in maintaining adequate heating. The report highlights that mould


aff ects various types of housing, with 43% of homeowners, 28% of renters in private properties, 16% of local authority tenants, and 12% of housing association residents reporting issues. Most individuals who experienced mould also noted that aff ording proper heating was a challenge. The Housing Ombudsman


reported a higher volume of complaints related to damp and mould from housing association tenants compared to those in local authority housing. The English Housing Survey indicates a 33% decrease in damp and mould issues within local authority housing over the past decade, contrasted with a 19% increase in housing associations since 2012. Overall, the proportion of properties in England aff ected by damp and mould has decreased by 17%.


Responsibility for mould issues


often leads to disputes between tenants and landlords. The report reveals that 69% of respondents believe landlords should be held accountable, while a third reported being blamed for mould in their own homes. Shelter.org outlines that


landlords are required to address specific causes of mould, including structural defects and inadequate ventilation, while tenants are encouraged to take preventive measures such as proper ventilation and moisture management. Ben Gallizzi, senior content


editor at Uswitch, comments: “Having a warm home is one of the best ways to prevent mould from growing. However, as the cost of living crisis has taken hold, 68% of people have admitted that they’ve put their heating on less due to cost in the past two years. Over 56% of these people believe that this is a direct cause of mould becoming more of a problem in their homes.


“But for the 367,119 homes without central heating in the UK, adequately heating the home consistently enough to help prevent mould can be even trickier.”


Rental sector In a separate study by indoor climate specialist Zehnder Group UK, it has been revealed that 99.2% of UK social landlords have reported having mould issues in properties under their remit, while almost a third (32%) of tenants reveal their homes have mould present in fi ve to six rooms. While


an overwhelming


majority of UK social landlords report having mould issues in properties they are responsible for, the research suggests that most landlords are at a loss on how to deal with their mould- ridden properties, with 41% believing that the main root cause of the problem is simply down to the weather. Almost a third (27%) claim the property occupants are


a barrier and 98% of landlords think the problems with mould are associated with a lack of education for occupants in how to live healthier in their home Within the study, questions were asked to understand more about the mould problems landlords and tenants face, how widespread the problems are, how it is currently being dealt with, what help they seek as well as any barriers to change. Other root causes are believed by landlords to be old buildings (36%), humidity (34%), condensation (28%), poor ventilation (23%), recent insulation of the house (22%) and general damp (17%). Commenting on the fi ndings,


Zehnder RMI national manager, Mark Trowers, says: “Managing condensation in homes, particularly in social and rented housing, requires a multi-faceted approach and the right balance of heating and ventilation. Upgraded insulation must be considered in partnership with an effective ventilation system to help regulate indoor humidity levels and promote a healthy indoor environment, minimising the conditions conducive to condensation. Without it, we risk living in airtight boxes that turn bad in time. “As an industry, we need to


help landlords navigate this epidemic and arm them with information and tools available to make their properties healthier – we are part of a bigger and quite complex puzzle where education, accessibility and collaboration is key.”


Inside this issue phamnews.co.uk


Gadgets & Tools See page 13


Energy Matters See page 18


COMPETITION


4 Domus fans to be won!


See page 37


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INTERGASHEATING.CO.UK 30/01/2025 08:54


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