Ventilation/extraction in rental property

[blackpoolDan]

I have a rental property that suffers from condensation and mould mainly in winter months.

Tennants
Typically only use the heating 1hr a day. All radiators are covered with wet clothing. Windows and curtains remain closed 24/7. Try to live as cheap as possible but both work full time so out of the house all day.

House
early 1900s end terrace 3 up 2 down. Gable end is solid wall, front and back are cavity although have had insulation. high ceilings and loft is insulated. No extractors whatsoever and house has full UPVC, all fireplaces are boarded over (vented)

Options i have mainly consist of...

Extractors in Bathroom and kitchen (humidistats)
Pros: quick and easy to install, will run until humidity drops,relativley cheap to install
Cons: Noise, Isolator switch (meaning tennant can turn off)

Positive Pressure Ventilation
Pros: Pumps in fresh air continuously, cheap to run, easy to install, cant be turned off (without getting in loft)
Cons: Pumps in cold air if cold outside, draughty

Heat Recovery
Pros pumps in fresh air continuoisly, easy to fit, cheap to run, extracts damp stale air,recovers heat, cant turn off (without getting in loft)
Cons:Tends to need more maitainance than other options, noise, draughts,


Anyone have any more advise on what would be the most effective solution? Bear in mind the tennants are a nightmare, ive explained various times the causes of the issues, yet nothing changes. I supplied a dehumidifyer to help and although they said its made a big difference, it soon started getting switched off as it was draughty, noisy and expensive to run. They are that bad I feel I need to consider the noise any fans produce as it will make then notice and think £££

Im steering towards heat recovery, but for ease of fitment would extract from bathroom and pump into the landing (outside the bathroom door) would this work or just be pointless

It needs to be a cheap running solution that cannot be easily turned off etc. They will not even open the windows just while out at work as its too cold when they get home

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

It's not easy with tennants, I have a similar tennant albeit nothing like as extreme, I would go for the positive pressure solution in the first instance, I would also point them towards the tenancy agreement which will (should) state that they need to look after the place which in around about way means that if they fail to heat and ventilate the property adequately and damage is a result it is the tennants responsibility to repair it before or upon exit.

 

[foxhole]

No solution will cope with drying washing indoors.
Kitchens and bathroom should have mechanical ventilation minimum.

 

[Bosswhite]

Hanging the washing on radiators in the winter does save buying and the fiddling about of filling Radiator Hung Humidifiers

 

[OwainDIYer]

Uncooperative tenants will override or defeat any measures you put in place, even if that means sticking clingfilm over all the vents.

You have said they are already a nightmare so as they are damaging the property take photos of all the damage, and the clothes on the radiators, and pass to your solicitor or agent to prepare notice of eviction and recovery of all costs.