I’m a real estate professional and here are four simple steps to get rid of mold for good

A MOLDY home can cause serious problems for its occupants, including allergies, respiratory problems and skin rashes.

Around 11.8 million people in the UK are currently living in moldy buildings.

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Mold usually grows in humid environments, so areas like bathrooms and bedrooms, and places where you dry your laundry are particularly at risk.

If you live in a rental home, your landlord should fix your dampness or mold problem if it’s either caused by a repair issue or is affecting your health and safety — and renters can take their landlords to court if it’s not fixed.

We spoke to home improvement expert Whinnie Williams for her top tips for solving the problem:

open the windows

It pays to avoid mold in the first place by taking small steps to prevent it, says Whinnie.

“One of the main causes of mold in your home is moisture,” she says. “But with regular airing, you’ll help keep it out.”

This could be as simple as making sure you open the windows every day to let in fresh air and keep the doors between rooms open.

Ensuring that air is continuously circulated throughout your home will reduce condensation, preventing mold from growing.

Check your closets

Whinnie says, “Mould likes damp and dark rooms, so look behind your cupboards and drawers.”

It can also appear in closets, she says, and can ruin clothes and shoes if left untreated.

“Ideally, place furniture two inches from the walls for ventilation,” she adds.

You can also periodically open closet doors to let in fresh air.

Use a spray treatment

If you want to tackle mold yourself, you can treat the affected areas with a mildew remover foam spray, leave to set, then wipe and scrub away with a cloth and kitchen sponge.

Make sure you wear protective gear like gloves, a mask, and goggles, and put a duster on the floor to protect your carpets.

“Once you’ve removed the mold, keep the surface well ventilated and let it dry,” says Williams.

You can purchase mold spray treatments at most major supermarkets and hardware stores.

Prevent future problems

To avoid mold growth, you should paint the surface with anti-mold paint or ask your landlord to do this if you are renting.

“You can also use a temperature and humidity meter to monitor the humidity levels in your home,” says Williams. This will help you quickly identify when there is a problem.

A mother received £4,500 in compensation from her local council after her house got so damp that fungus started growing in her bedroom.

So you could possibly do the same.

And there’s a law that says renters can sue landlords for cold and moldy homes.

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