In the past few years, the risks associated with mould in rental properties have frequently made the news across Australia. There are a number of reasons for this:
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to people spending more time at home.
- The pandemic raised awareness of the number of people in the community with compromised immune systems. These people are more susceptible not only to COVID, but also to mould-related health problems.
- The recent crisis in rental availability and affordability has led to an increase in tenants’ advocacy via social media and other online channels, with persistent mould a frequent complaint from tenants.
Mould is a frequent source of dispute between tenants and landlords, often reaching the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (and equivalent bodies in other states) when the problem is not fixed or there’s a disagreement about who is responsible. Landlords can be held liable for issues caused by mould in their properties, with penalties of $5,000 or $6,500 not uncommon, as well as orders to reimburse rent.
Who is responsible for mould?
One of the reasons mould often leads to disputes is that it may not be clear where the responsibility lies. Of course, when tenants move into a property, they have a right to expect that it will be free of mould, but over the course of a tenancy, actions of tenants like inadequate cleaning or leaving windows permanently closed can contribute to the growth of mould.
As The Conversation reports, laws around mould in rental properties differ from state to state, but all assign responsibilities to both landlords and tenants.
In New South Wales, the division of responsibility is explained on the NSW Fair Trading website. There are minimum standards that rental homes must comply with, including adequate ventilation. If a mould issue arises because of a breach of these standards, or because the landlord fails to make a timely repair, then the landlord is responsible.
On the other hand, if the mould develops during the tenancy as a result of the tenant’s actions, then the tenant may be responsible for fixing it.
Possible disputes can be avoided by:
- both parties making sure any existing mould is noted on the condition report
- the tenant notifying the landlord as soon as possible if they see any signs of mould or damp developing during the tenancy
- the landlord doing any necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
How Airsafe can help
At Airsafe, we don’t get involved in the blame game between landlords and tenants, but we can help make sure that mould issues don’t escalate.
We offer expert mould testing and inspection services. This includes an initial investigation and laboratory testing to determine whether mould is present and if so, what kind, and to make recommendations for treating it. Once the mould issue has been addressed, we can also complete a clearance inspection to confirm that our recommendations have been carried out and mould is no longer a problem.
Don’t leave mould to grow: call Airsafe on 1300 888 338 and get the benefit of our expertise.
If you live in Sydney, you’ll already know that mulch containing asbestos has been found in locations across the city, including parks, schools and train stations.
These discoveries and the resulting EPA investigation have caused a huge increase in demand for Airsafe’s asbestos services. If you’re intending to engage Airsafe in the foreseeable future for something asbestos-related – for example, conducting an asbestos audit or updating an asbestos register – you should contact us immediately to avoid lengthy delays.
Asbestos found in mulch at sites across Sydney
The current emergency began in early January 2024, when asbestos was discovered in a playground in the Rozelle parklands. Since than, asbestos has been found in mulch at more than 30 locations, with hundreds more potential locations under investigation.
The asbestos discovered so far is contained in mulch supplied by manufacturer Greenlife Resource Recovery, although the company insists its testing procedures are adequate.
Bonded asbestos in mulch: less risky?
You may have read that most of the asbestos found in Greenlife mulch has been bonded asbestos – that is, asbestos that is mixed with another material and less likely to be airborne.
It’s true that bonded asbestos poses less immediate risk than friable asbestos like that found in Harmony Park in Surry Hills. But that’s not a reason for complacency: bonded asbestos can become friable when it’s broken up, which can happen over time with normal weathering. So it’s important that wherever asbestos is found, action is taken now to avoid risks in the future.
Airsafe can help – but don’t delay
WIth our nationally renowned and accredited expertise in asbestos and hazardous materials, it’s no surprise that Airsafe’s asbestos consultancy and testing services have been in extremely high demand as this crisis has escalated.
If you’re planning to engage Airsafe for any asbestos-related service in the near future, you should contact us immediately to avoid a possible long wait.
Airsafe is dedicated to timely service, but at the same time, we don’t cut corners. Our asbestos services are provided by Licensed Asbestos Assessors, and we never use inexperienced temporary staff to meet spikes in demand. To avoid delays, call us today on 1300 888 338 or fill in the enquiry form on this page.
Airsafe offers a full suite of asbestos consultancy and testing services including: