Mould Issue

Other

I would be very grateful to know who the responsibility lies with regards to "mould" in a rented property. Is it the responsibility of the landlord or the tenants renting the property.

I am renting a property in Hatfield, Hertfordshire to 4 male students of the Hertfordshire University. Only this week they have reported the issue of mould around the windows, window ledges and walls. They have also reported mould in the bathroom.

In visiting the property on a regular basis, I have noticed hygiene and cleanliness is not a priority. I have also noted that the property is not ventilated or aired as it should be, with musty undertones coming from the bedroom. An example, bedroom doors are closed, locked and windows are not opened. I have many times tried to tell them to ventilate the property, however the simply state it is too cold to open the window.

The tenancy agreement as from a local estate agent states properties should be ventilated to prevent such mould issues.

I would like to add the property was only purchased in the Summer of 2009 - no damp issues or any such water related issues were reported on the structural survey.

The property was fully refurbished and in an A1 condition at the start of the tenancy agreement.

My question - in taking into account the above, should the cleaning of the mould fall to the responsibility of the landlord or should this be a responsibility of the tenants.

I thank you for your time,
Yours sincerely,
Anthony Errington