Pioneering technology that identifies the root causes of damp and mould could be the key to resolving moisture issues in rented properties, say experts at national trade body, the Property Care Association (PCA).
Ahead of the second reading of The Renters’ Rights Bill in the House of Commons on October 9, the PCA is signposting both private landlords and social housing providers to its cutting-edge moisture diagnostic system.
Provided in the UK via PCA’s specialist company Maple Diagnostics, the system monitors moisture in properties to help identify root causes and propose solutions.
Sarah Garry is Chief Executive at the PCA. She said: “The new Renters’ Rights Bill will extend Awaab’s Law to the private sector, requiring landlords to follow strict timescales to inspect and repair hazards including damp and mould.
“The sensor system can be used across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors to identify the root causes of condensation, damp and mould, and could prove transformational when it comes to mould investigations works.
“As a system which is based on data and evidence, it allows surveyors to provide clear evidence to tenants and landlords.
“Being able to identify the root cause of damp and mould issues, we believe, will help resolve disputes and focus any corrective actions saving both time and money.”
The moisture diagnostic system is the result of a three-year research project by the PCA with the University College London Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE).
It works by placing measurement devices including environmental sensors into different types of dwellings to measure conditions, such as temperature and relative humidity.
Working with bespoke software, results are calculated which show why an individual home is out of balance in terms of its moisture levels. After uploading the data to Maple’s website, a report is generated which prescribes appropriate solutions to address the issue.
The system was showcased at PCA’s Property Care Conference, held at Telford International Centre last month.