Indoor air quality and the Homes Act – what are the challenges?

The Homes Act requires landlords to consider whether their tenants' indoor air is safe. Five key air contaminants are listed in the legislation, and though they are pretty serious, monitoring will ensure you can prevent a problem before it occurs.

That’s why we have broken it down for you. Once you know what to look out for, following the rules is quite straightforward. Find out more here.

Which five air issues should I monitor?

Damp and mould growth

Unsurprisingly, damp and mould growth is the very first concern listed. An enormous 61% of UK renters were reported to have suffered damp, mouldy or leaking roofs. A costly problem in more ways than one.

People are 40% more likely to develop asthma in a damp or mouldy home – it is responsible for over 1.1 million UK asthma cases. The damage to the property is also problematic as it can cause serious structural damage to a building as it feeds on and breaks down organic matter, with obvious accompanying costs for landlords.

Radon gas

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. In fact, exposure to indoor radon gas is linked to 4% of lung cancer cases in the UK.

Radon enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation, getting trapped at any level of the property. It is odourless, colourless and invisible.

Volatile organic compounds

VOCs are a combination of gases and odours emitted found in everyday products.

Paints, new furniture and even cleaning products emit VOCs, but they are invisible to the naked eye.

Excess cold and heat

Possibly the most common air quality complaint to landlords, it’s also the easiest for tenants to notice. In addition, excess heat or cold can cause damage to a property such as burst pipes.

The solution

As these issues are hard to detect for you as a landlord or letting agent, one easy solution is to monitor the indoor air quality in each of your properties.

By doing so, you can show the tenants you are ensuring their health and safety, be alerted if there is a problem and act fast to prevent damage.

Airthings offers a range of indoor air quality and radon monitors to suit everyone's needs, and even have the capability to help you prevent mould and damp before it occurs with the world’s first mould risk indication.

The Airthings House Kit is a great choice for this situation. The indoor air quality and radon system allows you to remotely monitor the air quality effortlessly.

Log in to the Airthings Dashboard from anywhere at any time to see up to date readings. You can even set up notifications and act before the air quality causes damage. Use the data or radon report as evidence that you are monitoring the air quality, and putting your tenants first.

Check out all you need to know about Airthings, Indoor Air Quality and the Homes Act here.

*Daniel Bastone is UKI Channel Manager at Airthings.