For Owners & Renters, the unseasonal wet weather and humidity require sharper attention to detail and a clearer understanding of individual responsibilities.

Mould in particular can proliferate under La Niña’s spell, impacting an owner’s investment as well as the health of renters, if left unchecked. Mould grows indoors in wet or damp areas lacking adequate ventilation and light. In conditions of increased rainfall or humidity, mould growth accelerates and will spread rapidly as long as viable conditions exist.

So, what do owners and renters need to know about their responsibilities?

Owners have a responsibility to ensure a property meets health and safety laws. They also must provide adequate ventilation as a minimum requirement for a property to be fit for habitation.

Renters are responsible for notifying the owner or agent at the first signs of mould or dampness in the property. Identifying it early on is the key to preventing much bigger problems later on, and the inability to do so can also determine liability further down the track.

Responsibility for mould related issues will depend on how it developed in the first place, where it’s located, and what was done by whom once it was discovered. Mould that is found in a location that has inadequate ventilation available, or on a fitting or fixture that was defective will lie in the owner’s hands.

Mould that develops quite soon after a rental agreement begins will usually be considered pre-existing and also be up to the owner to resolve. However, where renters are not using the supplied ventilation – such as bathroom fans or windows in rooms prone to dampness – the resolution of the mould problem will be with them. 

Mould has been associated with respiratory illness and can cause serious health problems.

If the mould is causing a danger to the health of renters or other occupants, then this may be considered an urgent repair.

When the condition report is completed at the start of the rental agreement, close attention should be paid by both parties to the section on mould, and a thorough inspection for any trace of mould is advised. The inclusion of mould on the condition report should not dissuade owners or renters from their responsibilities of keeping the property in a reasonable state of repair. Local councils or public health units can provide advice around the prevalence and health risks of mould in your area.

Communication is key

First National Real Estate has led the real estate industry, conducting dozens of media interviews nationally to alert renters to the impending issues we anticipate will occur as a result of another summer of La Niña weather conditions.

Part of our message is that communication is key. We’re encouraging renters to let our property managers know the moment that mould seems to become a persistent problem, so we can respond before it becomes a health issue.

Equally, early advice to us enables us to establish if a more serious structural problem is affecting your property. If left unchecked, this sort of issue can lead to expensive damage that is the owner’s responsibility to pay for.