Structural problems in your property that cause damp, penetrating damp or plumbing / construction damp will usually be the responsibility of the landlord, however this is not necessarily the case when it comes to condensation.
Most buildings and contents home insurance policies won't cover you for damage caused by damp and condensation. When you apply for home insurance, you need to agree to a list of assumptions, and one of them is that your home is in a 'good condition'.
A damp proof course is a protective barrier that is installed when walls are built. If this is missing or has become damaged, then the walls may start to suffer from rising damp, and you should seek assistance from a damp proofing surveyor.
Surveyors will find damp by conducting a property survey. There are different types of surveys that you can choose from. They are the RICS Level 1 (Condition Report), the Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report), and the Level 3 (Building Survey).
Keep in mind that as the buyer, you will be responsible for the cost of the survey. Below we look at the types of damp found in a home, whether you should buy a house with damp and what you can do about it.
In many cases, your landlord is responsible for dealing with damp. This is because there's a term implied into your tenancy agreement which says that it's their responsibility to keep the exterior and structure of your home in good repair.
The damp and timber survey cost will set you back roughly £200 to £300. Based on the figures mentioned, you could be forgiven for supposing damp surveyors get paid so much for one or two hours' labour.
Damp specialists typically charge between £30 to £50 per hour. However, for more comprehensive property damp proofing jobs, including labour and materials, you might expect costs to range from £2,500 to £5,000 for an average-sized residence.
When surveying the home, surveyors will look closely for any signs of dampness caused by mould growth. If found, they will assess how it is affecting the property and advise next steps such as repairs and/or possible treatments.
For homes with considerable rising damp, installing a modern damp-proof course is the best solution. Whilst this can be an expensive option, it will help to prevent any further deterioration of the building and reduce the need for preventative measures in future.
Home insurance doesn't usually cover damp, whether it's caused by rising damp or condensation. This means your insurance won't cover the cost of any structural repairs nor the cost of replacing any of your belongings that may have been damaged by damp or mould.
The award will determine who pays for the work if there is a dispute. Generally the building owner who is having the work done pays all the expenses.
Rising damp affected walls can take up to 6 months to dry out for a 150mm thick wall and will even take longer for thicker walls. The general rule is that it will take one month for each 25mm thickness of wall to dry after the rising damp has been stopped.
Source of damage
If the source of the damage comes from inside your home, such as a water leak from plumbing , a broken pipe or overflowing appliance, you'll likely be covered by your homeowners insurance.
Rising damp is commoner in old (pre-c1919) buildings than new ones but rarer than often supposed. Modern buildings keep water out with a system of barriers: damp-proof courses (DPCs) have been required in walls since 1875 and damp-proof membranes (DPMs) in floors from the 1960's.
If you're thinking of buying a property it's essential to carry out a damp survey so that you are aware of any issues. This will not only allow you to make informed decisions and plans but also enable you to negotiate the house price/ask the vendor to fix any problems before you sign the contract.
The damp surveyor is likely to inspect the exterior of your property first to establish whether there is a damp course and if the building has a cavity or solid walls. They might also investigate the gutters, water pipes, and drains to see if there is any evidence of damage.
Damp conditions can lead to serious damage to the structure of the house because many of them affect the timbers, which in older properties can form 75% of the structure and are an integral part of the building.
Rising damp can be both solved and prevented by installing a damp proof course. You will also need to ensure that any soil remains at least 6 inches below this level. Treatments of rising damp revolve around installing and effective damp proof course.
The cost of damp proofing depends on a number of factors. These include the area affected and the solution. You also have to consider any costs associated with who does the work. The cost of damp proofing internal walls can be relatively low but resolving the route cause can be expensive.
Most standard buildings and contents home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by damp and condensation.
Pinless meters use electromagnetic frequencies to look at specific areas. Meters are designed to read damp levels in both timber and masonry. Surveyors will identify different types of damp. Rising damp usually occurs when there are flaws in a damp-proof barrier, and moisture rises from ground level up the wall.
The majority of people looking to buy a property pay for the damp and timber report. This is to say they are somewhat committed to the purchase and also as they maybe worried that the owner may decide to choose another buyer over them due to these further complications.
If you are selling a house, damp is among the many things you must declare on a property disclosure statement. This way, potential buyers will be fully aware of what they could encounter should they buy the home. Damp can be unsightly, smelly, a health risk and damaging to the property.