IS YOUR home in a damp and mould hotspot? Our map reveals how the silent killer is knocking up to £54,000 of YOUR house price.
New research by Appliances Direct has highlighted the areas across the UK where damp and mould are doing the most damage and destroying the value of Brits’ homes.
To estimate the impact of mould on house prices in these areas, it looked at search demand for mould solutions across UK cities and also the average house price in each city.
It then applied an average 7.5% reduction as industry data suggests that buyers typically offer 5–10% less on properties with visible damp or mould problems.
Leeds was the top area in the UK affected by damp and mould. Sellers looking to sell their mouldy property in the city should expect to get £21,183 less than if the problem were not present.
The average house price in the area costs around £286,055, according to Rightmove data.
BILL BLOW
Millions of Sky Mobile users face price hike in HOURS
BANKING BLUNDER
Why using Amazon’s new ‘hassle-free’ payment method could cost you HUNDREDS
Bristol was the second most prevalent area for damp and mould issues – and the problem can knock up to £29,619 off the average house price (£394,577) here.
Liverpool took the number three spot with the issue knocking £17,277 off the average house price, which stands at £229,393.
In London, where homes sell for an average of £656,665, damp and mould could knock up to £53,924 off the value of a home.
It is not uncommon for small patches of damp to develop over time and more often than not the issue can be easily treated.
Keeping your house well ventilated by opening windows and using a small dehumidifier can help fight off build up.
But in some instances you may have to pay more out to fix the issue and have to hire a specialist cleaner or construction worker to work on repairs.
The group said mould removal will set you back £1,200 on average, for a whole house in these instances.
Once the mould is removed, repairing damaged plaster can cost between £400 – £600 per internal wall or between £6,400 to £9,600 for the whole house.
If you need to hire a pro, you can compare and find trusted experts in your area by using sites such as Checkatrade.
Top tips to prevent damp and mould
Sam Carter, radiator and heating expert at Appliances Direct , shares small changes that help prevent mould in your home
- Be careful when drying clothes indoors: Drying laundry inside releases large amounts of moisture into the air. If indoor drying is unavoidable, use a well-ventilated room and open windows slightly. You could also try a dehumidifier to prevent damp from forming. Laundry Dehumidifiers can dry your clothes up to 4 times faster than using an airer alone, and you won’t need to crowd your radiators with clothes.
- Keep your home warm and evenly heated: Cold surfaces encourage condensation when warm, moist air hits. If you’re out during the day, don’t simply turn off your heating; keep it at a maintenance temperature of around 14°C. This will prevent moisture from settling on walls and windows. It’ll save you money in the long run too, as rooms will heat up more quickly once you’re home. It takes less energy to raise a room from 15°C to 20°C than it does to drag it from 8°C up to 20°C.
- Watch for early warning signs inside: Bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and external-facing walls are most prone to damp and mould as they get cold. Look out for condensation, musty smells, peeling paint or dark patches, and act quickly if they appear.
- Don’t cover it up: Covering up damp and mould with paint or cleaning sprays without addressing the underlying moisture problem won’t work longer term and can often make the problem worse. Though cleaning might be ok for small areas where bathroom grout has discoloured, in other areas of the home, mould will soon return if the cause is ignored.
- Find the right tools and appliances: A dehumidifier can help manage excess moisture, while adequate heating and functioning radiators play a key role in preventing condensation and mould growth. Easy tricks like bleeding radiators can also help maintain warm temperatures within the home.
- Burp your house like a German: There’s a German practice called “lüften,” which translates to “airing out”. Throw open your windows for 5-10 minutes in winter to fill your home with fresh, dry air. It’s so ingrained in German culture that landlords there might actually write it into a tenant lease to prevent mould damage. It’s a good idea to do this after a shower or whilst cooking too, to avoid trapping excess moisture inside.
