The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

why rental properties are more likely to be mouldy and what's needed to stop people getting sick

  • Written by Rebecca Bentley, Professor of Social Epidemiology and Director of the Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Housing at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne
why rental properties are more likely to be mouldy and what's needed to stop people getting sick

Rental properties are more likely be mouldy[1] than other homes. This is a concern as excessive mould growth is known to harm human health[2].

Once buildings are infested with mould, the difficult and costly issue of remediation arises. Landlords and tenants are caught in the middle of a tussle over who is responsible for fixing the problem. As one Melbourne renter and research participant told our colleague Maria Gatto, during a study validating mould reporting:

The landlord came around [and] walked [into] every room where there’s black mould on the ceiling – like it’s freaking [something out of the TV series] Stranger Things – and she’s like, ‘Oh, a little bit of mould in winter, it’s very normal, it’s fine […] this happens every winter, it’s not a big deal’.

Heading into winter, after three consecutive La Niñas[3], conditions are ripe[4] for a mega-mould season. Combining our expertise in health, law, building and construction, we examine the problem of mould in homes and offer guidance for both renters and landlords.

Read more: Sudden mould outbreak after all this rain? You’re not alone – but you are at risk[5]

Ideal conditions for growth

Mould is a fungal growth[6] that reproduces via tiny airborne particles called spores. When these spores settle on moist, plant-based construction materials such as wood, wallpaper or plasterboard, they can form a new colony.

Growth is more likely when homes are cold, humid, lack air flow, or suffer from water damage. Outbreaks have been reported in flooded parts of southeastern Australia.

Black mould an invisible threat growing behind walls of flood-affected homes (ABC News)

So why is the problem of household mould worse in rentals? Weak regulation of tenancy legislation[7] is just one of many factors. Rental properties tend to be poorly maintained, with structural problems[8] such as leaks. Given this, they can be expensive to heat.

A chart showing the percentage of homes with structural defects in each category
Rental homes have more structural defects than owner-occupied homes. Nicola Willand, using data from Moore et. al., (2020), Warm, cool and energy-affordable housing policy solutions for low-income renters, AHURI Final Report, vol. no. 338. Appendix 2, Author provided[9]

How mould makes people sick

The World Health Organization[10] recognises mould can be harmful.

A 2022 Asthma Australia report[11] revealed people living in mouldy homes were more likely to have asthma and allergies. A systematic review of peer-reviewed research found children living in mouldy homes[12] were more likely to experience asthma, wheeze and allergic irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and mouth (allergic rhinitis).

Living with mould is a source of stress. People worry about the consequences for their health and there is a growing body of evidence describing the negative mental health effects[13] of mouldy, damp homes.

Read more: Thinking of buying a dehumidifier? Advice from an expert on mould and damp[14]

Problems with managing mould in the rental sector

There is a gap between building and residential tenancies legislation. A building deemed to meet the minimum standards of the construction code with respect to mould may not meet the minimum standards for rental. That’s because there’s ambiguity in the National Construction Code[15] around “minimum standards of health”.

For example the Victorian Building Act 1993[16] contains some provisions for the relevant surveyor to serve a notice on the basis of a health circumstance affecting a user. However, there is no guidance on how to assess the health of the indoor environment, or to deliver a building direction that will address the root cause for mould. This varies by state and territory.

Mould remediation can be costly. A study[17] by Victoria University found half the defects causing mould were water-related. These were more expensive to fix than other problems, by an average of A$7,000.

Each winter, Tenants Victoria[18] deals with a spike in renters seeking legal help to resolve their mould problems. This led to the service launching an annual winter Mould Clinic in 2021.

Despite increased legal protections, renters are still struggling to get mould fixed. For these reasons, many renters find the legal process doesn’t offer a solution to their problem, and instead move to a new property, with all its attendant costs and stresses. Others can’t afford to leave, or live in social housing with limited transfer options.

Charting mould in homes across Australia

A bar chart comparing the prevalence of mould in homes across Australian states and territories Mould is more prevalent in rentals compared to owner-occupied dwellings. Mould is most commonly reported in New South Wales. The difference between owners and renters is greatest in the ACT. Australian Housing Conditions Dataset 2022 doi:10.26193/SLCU9J, Author provided

Where does the responsibility lie?

Tenancy legislation varies by state and territory. Renters should familiarise themselves with the regulations in their jurisdiction.

In Victoria, residential tenancies legislation[19] has set the criteria that “each room in the rented premises must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure”. Landlords now must disclose if they have treated mould in the past three years.

Similarly, new legislation in Queensland[20] (coming into effect in September) states rental properties should be free from vermin, damp and mould where this is caused by issues with the structural soundness of the property.

In New South Wales, the landlord needs to disclose signs of mould[21] and dampness in the condition report (but not necessarily have fixed it). Mould is not mentioned in the ACT residential tenancies legislation[22].

For the most part, the responsibility for mould in rental properties lies with landlords if the cause is structural –- for example, if a broken or faulty window frame has let rainwater inside.

Requests for urgent repairs can be accompanied by an assessment report by an occupational hygienist, environmental health professional or expert from the local council. People with an existing health condition such as asthma can include a doctor’s report.

What next?

To achieve change across all relevant domains of regulation, construction, natural disaster response and government policy, we need a sustainable, broad healthy housing agenda in Australia[23]. We also need to consider options for immediate action.

As one Victorian renter noted:

When we buy a car for the purpose of driving on the roads, we’re required to get a roadworthy certificate to make sure it’s safe, because of the risk to other people […] Ideally it would be great if there was [some] kind of ‘rentworthy’ certificate […] to demonstrate that the property has been inspected, to identify any structural issues that might affect the tenant’s health and wellbeing. And that that be available to tenants […] before they enter into a lease or before (the property is) even able to be advertised.

Read more: Mould and damp health costs are about 3 times those of sugary drinks. We need a healthy housing agenda[24]

For those in Melbourne, a free Tenants Victoria event[25] on this topic will be held at RMIT University Storey Hall on Wednesday, May 17 at 1pm. It will be followed by a free pop-up legal clinic.

Quotes in this article were collected by Maria Gatto as part of her Masters of Public Health, conducted at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health in 2022.

References

  1. ^ likely be mouldy (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  2. ^ harm human health (www.who.int)
  3. ^ three consecutive La Niñas (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ conditions are ripe (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ Sudden mould outbreak after all this rain? You’re not alone – but you are at risk (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ fungal growth (www.cdc.gov)
  7. ^ Weak regulation of tenancy legislation (www.ahuri.edu.au)
  8. ^ structural problems (www.ahuri.edu.au)
  9. ^ Nicola Willand, using data from Moore et. al., (2020), Warm, cool and energy-affordable housing policy solutions for low-income renters, AHURI Final Report, vol. no. 338. Appendix 2 (www.ahuri.edu.au)
  10. ^ World Health Organization (www.who.int)
  11. ^ report (asthma.org.au)
  12. ^ children living in mouldy homes (erj.ersjournals.com)
  13. ^ negative mental health effects (jech.bmj.com)
  14. ^ Thinking of buying a dehumidifier? Advice from an expert on mould and damp (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ National Construction Code (ncc.abcb.gov.au)
  16. ^ Building Act 1993 (www.legislation.vic.gov.au)
  17. ^ study (www.vba.vic.gov.au)
  18. ^ Tenants Victoria (tenantsvic.org.au)
  19. ^ residential tenancies legislation (www.legislation.vic.gov.au)
  20. ^ new legislation in Queensland (www.rta.qld.gov.au)
  21. ^ disclose signs of mould (www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au)
  22. ^ ACT residential tenancies legislation (www.legislation.act.gov.au)
  23. ^ housing agenda in Australia (www.healthyhousing-cre.org)
  24. ^ Mould and damp health costs are about 3 times those of sugary drinks. We need a healthy housing agenda (theconversation.com)
  25. ^ free Tenants Victoria event (www.eventbrite.com.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/breaking-the-mould-why-rental-properties-are-more-likely-to-be-mouldy-and-whats-needed-to-stop-people-getting-sick-205472

The Times Features

The Best Adjustable Bed and Mattress Packages for Comfort

The appropriate bed and mattress are essential for establishing the perfect sleep environment. If you seek a way to upgrade your sleep experience, adjustable bed and mattress pac...

Designing a Modern Home: Features That Will Make Your Dream House Stand Out

Designing your dream home is an exciting journey, and for many, it’s an opportunity to create a space that reflects their personal style, functionality needs, and modern trends. ...

Client Dinners Done Right: Tips for Meaningful Engagement

Client dinners offer more than just a meal—they’re an opportunity to build lasting business relationships in a more personal and relaxed setting. Done well, these dinners can str...

From Classic to Contemporary: 5 Timeless Costumes for Any Party

When it comes to dressing up for a costume party, you want to choose something that is not only fun but also memorable. Whether you're attending a Halloween event, a themed gathe...

Action Figures as Art: The Growing Trend of Custom Figures and Modding

Action figures have long been regarded as collectible items, valued by enthusiasts and fans for their connection to popular culture. However, in recent years, a growing trend has...

The Ultimate Guide to Securing Grants for Your Small Business in Australia

Running a small business in Australia comes with both opportunities and challenges. While it can be rewarding, funding your business through the early stages or periods of growth...

Times Magazine

Top Benefits of Hiring Commercial Electricians for Your Business

When it comes to business success, there are no two ways about it: qualified professionals are critical. While many specialists are needed, commercial electricians are among the most important to have on hand. They are directly involved in upholdin...

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

LayBy Shopping