#77870
TonyC
Flatchatter

    It’s a pity you are not a tenant because tenants can have their rent reduced or break their lease if the property they rent becomes unit for habitation because of mould.

    This is because section 52(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act2010 (NSW) reads: (1) A landlord must provide the residential premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit for habitation by the tenant. Each state has a comparable law.

    The reason I set this out is that Section 106(1) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) is not fit for purpose because unlike the tenancy law, it does not specifically impose a duty to keep the home unit habitable. It reads: (1) An owners corporation for a strata scheme must properly maintain and keep in a state of good and serviceable repair the common property and any personal property vested in the owners corporation.

    As a result, owners of strata properties are on their own. They need to find their own solutions. My suggestion is to buy a large humidifier – 20L and improve ventilation – strong fans in the bathroom and kitchen, because mould is caused by high levels of humidity, caused by lack of ventilation.

    Try it. It works.