As we head into the cooler months of the year, it’s important to be on the lookout for mould in your home. Hot showers, use of tumble dryers and cooking can create the perfect environment for mould to grow if your home isn’t ventilated properly. Managing mould in the home
When scheduling times to carry out your routine property inspection, we will always try to fit in with your preferred days and times where we can. However, with more than 1,800 properties and preferences to take on board we are not always able to arrange your inspection at a time that is convenient. It’s important for us to be able to maintain our inspection schedules so we can check on the condition of the property and test the safety devices in your home like smoke alarms. Where possible, we do encourage tenants to be home for inspections so we can say hello and discuss any concerns you have in person, but we can also carry out the inspection when you are not home. If this happens, we will always leave a note to say we have visited, and you can give us a call if there is anything you want to discuss. We also acknowledge that inspections can cause anxiety and sometimes you may not feel ready or prepared for us to visit. Please know that we will always provide 7-14 days’ notice of our intention to inspect your home, and we will work with you around any issues or concerns you have with the property for your upcoming inspection. Routine inspection scheduling
Ventilation matters Often, we think having our bathroom door open while we shower will help ventilation, but it actually makes your exhaust fan less effective. Keeping your door closed while you shower will help create a vacuum for your exhaust fan to cycle air better. It is also important to leave the exhaust fan on for a little while after you finish showering and open the doors and windows to help dry out any leftover moisture and condensation. If you are using a tumble dryer or drying your clothes inside during winter – always make sure you open doors and windows to create airflow to avoid creating damp environments in the home. Keeping an eye out for water damage We ask tenants to keep an eye out for water penetration into ceilings, walls or floors because of a leak or poor drainage. Signs of this kind of issue include peeling paint, rotting wood or a damp smell.
Mould can grow in bathrooms, kitchens,
cluttered storage areas, roof spaces and behind furniture. If left untreated, mould can cause structural damage to the property and can damage your belongings. Mould can also have a serious impact on people’s health. Who is responsible for addressing mould? Housing Choices WA is responsible for addressing mould caused by structural issues such as a leak in the roof, a faulty pipe or malfunctioning gutters. Tenants are responsible for mould caused by poor ventilation in the home, so it is important to know how to avoid the build-up of mould during your day-to- day activities.
If you have this type of damp or mould in your home, please contact the Maintenance Hotline on 1800 203 383 .
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