In 2019, a report from Save The Student., a money saving website for students, revealed responses and statistics gathered from more than 2000 students regarding their experiences with rented accommodation. The National Student Accommodation Survey details what student accommodation is really like, how much it costs, and what the biggest housing issues are for student renters.
The survey disclosed that 54% of the students rented rooms or houses from private landlords and estate agents, and almost 90% experienced issues with their housing.
Lots of student houses damp, survey finds
The most interesting finding from our point of view is that 35% of students claimed that they have had problems with damp in their accommodation. That makes it one of the most common causes of concern for student renters. This is hardly surprising – private student accommodation is not always of the highest quality. Windows may not fit properly or may be in very old frames; there may not be proper extraction fans fitted in bathrooms and kitchens, and good property maintenance isn’t always high on landlords’ lists.
Add to that the fact that in a student house, people often cook separately, so there might be lots of pans of boiling water during the course of a typical evening, you can see how excess moisture might be created and problems with condensation and damp occur.
Landlords must address dampness in student housing
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act , which came into effect in early 2020, places a greater responsibility on landlords and letting agents to resolve damp and other housing issues. Student tenants now have the right to challenge their landlord with legal action if they fail to rectify reported housing issues. The new Housing Act comes into force, covering private and social renters – as long as they don’t have tenancies longer than seven years – and common areas of buildings are covered as well as individual rooms. It will make landlords more accountable for conditions in their properties, and that they meet certain standards throughout a tenancy.
How to remedy damp in student property
To avoid this becoming an aggravating and potentially expensive issue, preventive measures can be taken to reduce damp and the associated health problems that can arise as a result. Using a Meaco dehumidifier can make a big difference to damp. The MeacoDry ‘ABC’ range is our quietest model that comes in at an affordable price. Its whisper-quiet operating sound makes it perfectly suited for use in a flat or small household, reducing moisture in the air and helping to dry washing indoors – which in a shared student house is often a leading cause of damp. Moreover, this dehumidifier is remarkably energy efficient, costing just 5p/hour based on 34p/kWh* making it cheap to run for the tenants.
If the damp issue is more serious, perhaps structural, then a dehumidifier will help reduce the symptoms of damp whilst remedial repairs are being made.
In summary, a dehumidifier can remedy damp issues making the accommodation more comfortable for students, whilst potentially saving landlords a lot of money in light of the new Housing Act.
To find out more about our full range of home dehumidifiers click here: https://www.meaco.com/dehumidifier. You can also call us for help and advice on 01483 234900.
Products featured: MeacoDry ABC
