Damp rental property

windy

windy

Private Member
Hi all.

Have a rental property. Typical victorian terrace. Double skin brick with no air void between. Tenant uses it as a base when he argues with his Mrs who lives round the corner. So it's never properly lived in or heated or ventilated...but rent gets paid so I go along with it.
Went to do inspection the other day and it has usual damp on walls which I have fixed many times before.

Now I intend to sell this house as soon as the tenant moves which cud be 12/18 months or less so I'm not looking for a rolls Royce long term fix.And I can't change the way the house is lived in atm or the method of construction...

In the past I've checked the exterior and cleaned gutters, hacked off back to brick internally , repointed any brickwork then used 2 coats of a decent tanking slurry (usually use sk from wickes ) then used thistle drycoat to float and them skim. Areas I've done in this method have worked in the past.

Can anyone else suggest any other methods/ tips for a quick fix before I sell up...ps I prefer drycoat over s and c for speed and ease of mix although it is very expensive.. tia
 
Are you sure its damp and not condensation pal as the living conditions dont really effect rising damp.. I would always recomend a piv fan... It brings clean air into the property and puts it under postive pressure.....
 
windy said:
Hi all.

Have a rental property. Typical victorian terrace. Double skin brick with no air void between. Tenant uses it as a base when he argues with his Mrs who lives round the corner. So it's never properly lived in or heated or ventilated...but rent gets paid so I go along with it.
Went to do inspection the other day and it has usual damp on walls which I have fixed many times before.

Now I intend to sell this house as soon as the tenant moves which cud be 12/18 months or less so I'm not looking for a rolls Royce long term fix.And I can't change the way the house is lived in atm or the method of construction...

In the past I've checked the exterior and cleaned gutters, hacked off back to brick internally , repointed any brickwork then used 2 coats of a decent tanking slurry (usually use sk from wickes ) then used thistle drycoat to float and them skim. Areas I've done in this method have worked in the past.

Can anyone else suggest any other methods/ tips for a quick fix before I sell up...ps I prefer drycoat over s and c for speed and ease of mix although it is very expensive.. tia
Click to expand...
Lime
 
brimplas1 said:
Are you sure its damp and not condensation pal as the living conditions dont really effect rising damp.. I would always recomend a piv fan... It brings clean air into the property and puts it under postive pressure.....
Click to expand...
Could be its mainly external walls where the cold and warm air meet
 
Fixed many times before lol. You mean bodged. Fix it and it won't come back. You want to bodge it again, just using different terminology.
 
windy said:
Can anyone else suggest any other methods/ tips for a quick fix before I sell up...
Click to expand...
Yes. When you get your month's notice off of him pop round and put the heating on 25 degrees and leave the windows open on the 1/2" latch. Return a week or two later and drop the heating down to 15 degrees or so and leave it like that until the contracts are exchanged.
 
Dri-coat?

fk that.........





Damp rental property
 
imago said:
Yes. When you get your month's notice off of him pop round and put the heating on 25 degrees and leave the windows open on the 1/2" latch. Return a week or two later and drop the heating down to 15 degrees or so and leave it like that until the contracts are exchanged.
Click to expand...

this was my thought. quickest fix is to keep the heating running constantly and make sure there are no cold radiators. Sell it in summer
 
Sounds like you’re doing everything you can given the situation. With a tenant not really living in the property full-time, damp is bound to be an issue, especially in an old Victorian terrace without proper insulation or ventilation.
If you’re looking for a quicker, cost-effective fix before selling, you might consider a few things. You could try using a breathable membrane instead of tanking slurry. It’s a bit easier to apply and still provides a decent barrier, plus it allows some moisture to escape, which might help with the damp issue given the lack of regular heating and ventilation. Another option could be an anti-mold paint for the internal surfaces, which doesn’t solve the root cause but can mask the visible effects for the short term.
And when it’s time to sell, highlighting local amenities like bhoomi lakescapes as a nearby lifestyle perk can also add appeal for potential buyers, especially if they’re drawn to community features.
Also, make sure the tenant understands the importance of keeping it ventilated, even a little bit. Sometimes, even leaving interior doors open can improve airflow and reduce damp. Good luck with the property!
 
I took my Victorian rental right back to brick...dry lined internal wall insulation throughout...PIV unit in the loft...300mm of insulation. Never had any damp or mould. Stripping off all the cement/gypsum render back to brick is the best treatment for Victorian properties and ventilation system. Silicone render on the outside.
 
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