Dampness and Condensation Claire O’Neill Environmental Protection, Public Health and Housing

Environmental Health Service Environmental Protection, Public Health and Housing Food Safety Health and Safety Community Safety

Work of the Unit Regulate the private rented sector Investigate nuisance complaints-Social housing, owner occupied- noise, smoke, rubbish, rats, drains Exhumations Swimming pools and private water supplies Disused quarries Planning responses

Private Tenancies Order Certificates of Fitness/ Notices of refusal Notices of Disrepair Notices of Unfitness Landlord registration Tenancy deposits Unlawful eviction and harassment Rent books, Tenancy statements

Clean Neighbourhoods - nuisance Public Health ( Ireland) Act 1878 Protect living conditions Duty to inspect district for nuisances Duty to issue abatement notices on person responsible Dampness, drains, dry rot, fumes from heating systems, rubbish, dog dirt, rat infestations

Grant aid NIHE grant aid available for landlords in receipt of abatement notice % grant based on NAV of property Maximum of £7,500 over 3 years Based on NIHE schedule of works prices Landlord must get the notice from the Council,do the work and then claim money back

Condensation What is it? Water vapour touches a cold surface and condenses to form dampness or water droplets Warm air can hold more water vapour Water vapour can come from washing, cooking, laundry, breathing..... If no open vent/window it will move around until it finds a cold surface

Modern homes are better insulated BUT are draught proofed- stops vapour escaping Double glazing can exacerbate condensation if no supplementary ventilation Older Homes- No cavity wall - cold wall surfaces inviting condensation Inadequate heating systems LPG or bottled gas heaters

Homes heated intermittently are more likely to be affected as the surfaces cool down More likely on windows, cold walls, around doors and windows, behind furniture at an external wall and inside cupboards where circulation is restricted Sealing of roof voids/vents

Reducing condensation Produce less moisture Lids on pans, no drying clothes on radiators, vented tumble dryers When cooking and washing, use extractor fan or open window for 20 mins after ( keep door closed) Wipe condensation away

Ventilate moisture away: Leave trickle vents open- sealed to stop draughts Place furniture against internal walls and leave a gap Heating: Continual low-level heating keeps surfaces warm Set timer so that house is warm on return

Mould growth Some people are more sensitive than others, including: Babies and children Elderly people Those with existing skin problems, such as eczema Those with respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma Those with a weakened immune system These people should stay away from damp and mould.

Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mould spores may cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Moulds can also cause asthma attacks. Damage clothes, possessions, re-decoration costs, voids

Treatment of mould If you notice mould growing in your home, you should treat it straight away to stop it from spreading and causing more damage to your home. Sterilise the affected area with a suitable fungicidal wash (available from most DIY stores), following the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep checking the affected area for at least a week. If the mould reappears, wash it down again with the fungicidal wash to make sure the area is thoroughly sterilised. If the treatment appears to have been successful, you can carry out any necessary redecoration.

If painting, use a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould, but remember that this will not be effective if it is later covered by ordinary paint or wallpaper. If wallpapering, use a paste containing a fungicide to prevent further mould growth. If mould or mildew is growing on clothing or carpets, you should dry clean them. Don’t disturb mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning, as you can increase the risk of respiratory problems. To prevent mould returning, make sure that you control condensation in your home.

EHO- action Needs to be a structural/ disrepair issue to issue an abatement notice- NIHE grant aid % of approved cost – max- %£7,500 Based on rateable value of property NI Fitness standard does not specify standards of heating or insulation( unlike HHSRS)

Difficult to pin-point cause- normally range of factors- tenant in fuel poverty, sealed vents, poor heating system etc Data logger- temperature/ relative humidity Advice to tenants and landlords

What can Landlords do? A lot of causes and remedies lie with tenant- lifestyle-heating, ventilation etc Assist through dry-lining/insulating problematic external walls, addressing hard to heat homes improved heating systems Installing humidistat fans in bathrooms, positive ventilation systems Effective mould treatment

Other grants available Warm homes scheme- Cavity wall, loft insulation, water tank jacket, Warm homes plus( No system, E7 Solid fuel, Bottled gas/LPG ) Installation or conversion to oil or gas Means tested from tenant- need landlord approval