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07586 702450
Condensation and damp can be common problems in student accommodation, with multiple people living together often coming from family homes that are well insulated and heated. You may never have had to consider what condensation is before, let alone what you should do to combat it.
With the cold winter weather and heating use being reduced to keep costs down, condensation, damp and mould are more likely to occur. Read our guide to what condensation is and how you can prevent it.
Condensation is easy to spot with steamed-up windows, water droplets and even black spotty mould on walls and ceilings. It can be caused by daily activities such as showering, drying washing and cooking. It happens when warm air full of moisture comes into contact with colder surfaces such as mirrors or windows and then releases the water onto the cold surface.
Our top tips for preventing condensation:
Open windows
Keep your home well ventilated and open windows frequently to allow air to circulate.
Cooking
Open windows and/or use an extractor fan when cooking so moisture and steam can escape.
Heat your home
Heating is one of the best ways to reduce condensation as the moisture in the air will evaporate. It is best to keep the heating on a constant low heat than turning it up high and then off again as the air will keep cooling and releasing condensation.
Bathrooms
Always use the extractor fan and/or keep bathroom windows open when showering or bathing. We imagine you would keep the door closed anyway … but doing so can definitely stop steam escaping into the rest of the homeland causing problems in other rooms.
Drying clothes
Wherever possible please don’t dry washing inside, this can be hard in student properties but if you dry your clothes outside whenever possible it will lessen the amount of water in the air
Condensation can lead to damp and mould which is bad for your health and can also end up damaging clothes and belongings.
If there is damage caused to the fabric and fixtures of your student property it could affect your deposit at the end of the tenancy. If the landlord and dispute resolution service say the damage is caused by day to day activities with no adequate ventilation then you will be responsible as per the tenancy agreement.
More information can be found here.
This leaflet explains everything really clearly. Remember you can remove moisture in your home by opening trickle vents, opening windows for short periods, using extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, keeping the home temperature consistent and wiping windows down.
If you need some tips on how to budget and make your finances go further then read this blog if you are struggling with rising energy bills.
For more help or advice on student life or your student accommodation please contact us – call 07586 702450 or email enquiries@glsh.co.uk
