Trickle vents - Do I need to remove windows?

[bilabonic]

Hi all.

I have a tenant who has condensation on wall in a back bedroom/cold outside wall behind a cupboard.
It has been left and not cleaned fir several months and there’s a small insinuate of black mould.
I have tried explaining that windows need opening/airing and property needs airflow.
It was recently renovated via grant with new uPVC. Roof. Loft insulation etc.

The tenant also has the back door blocked with a normal tumble drier so that’s vented water Vapour back into the property plus drying clothes on rads etc as there is no other way as she does not use garden at all.

She is adamant it’s ‘damp’ and wants to get environmental health involved and I have no problem with this and will comply with any findings.

I was thinking of a PIV system but that will only work if air has means of escape.

I have also unlocked 2 air bricks that had been gaffs taped over but in can’t get across that the property needs to breath.

Most openings are small top openings and some windows have 2 small side openings.

Do I just remove these.
Get a decent drill bit.
Drill several/as many holes as possible and then cover with the vent.

Cheers

 

[diy_fun_uk]

The tenant also has the back door blocked with a normal tumble drier so that’s vented water Vapour back into the property plus drying clothes on rads etc as there is no other way as she does not use garden at all.

She is adamant it’s ‘damp’ and wants to get environmental health involved and I have no problem with this and will comply with any findings.

Based on what you say, this looks like a classic case of 'damp/mould in the property caused by tenant but tenant refusing to accept they are most likely to blame.'

Things like trickle vents might have little positive impact if she's running a tumble drier that's (not?) properly vented and not opening windows etc. What's to stop her closing/taping over the trickle vents?

I wouldn't bother until you can be confident the issue isn't being caused by the tenant.

 

[bilabonic]

Yes it’s definitely tenants lifestyle.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

The tumble dryer venting internally will be causing huge problems. You can get traps for these, ideal would be vent it outdoors or replace with condensing type but they're more expensive.
Part of the problem is people not heating the house as much (cos cost) and blocking all draughts (cos cold).

 

[Notch7]

its not the windows you need to remove.......