From time to time as a Property Manager, you’ll be confronted with this question… Mould – Who’s responsible?
The answer is… The Owner OR The Tenant – depending on the situation. In this tip let’s discuss the different scenarios so you can become clear on what to do from this point forward!
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If the mould appears as a result of fair wear and tear or a result of a property maintenance issue – such as a roof leak, then it is the Owners responbility to have it cleaned. It is always up to the Owner to ensure the premises are maintained and kept in good repair.
However if the Tenant causes the mould, for example – by not ventilating the bathroom, using an extractor fan or opening a window, it may be the Tenants responsibility to clean up the mould.
As the Property Manger it is your job to resolve any disputes that arise. You should liaise with both the Tenant and the Owner until a resolution is reached. Be sure to document all correspondence as severe cases may end up being resolved at the Tenancy Tribunal, in which case you’ll want to be seen as doing your best.
Although most tenancy laws don’t refer specifically to mould, general rules about the responsibility of the Owner to carry out any repairs and the Tenant to maintain the place throughout a tenancy still apply.
Effective communication will be the key to your success when handling mould issues.
Please email us if you’d like to know more about our Property Management Courses or need any further assistance.