BDHT-Guide-for-New-Tenants-2024-Digital-Singles - Flipbook - Page 38
Condensation
& ventilation
During construction your home
will have absorbed moisture.
This is completely normal and will
take approximately one year to dry out.
To avoid damp and prevent condensation and mould, your home
needs to be ventilated properly.
It is very important that you help this drying out process by:
• Keeping trickle vents on the windows and doors open
• Opening your windows regularly, particularly when cooking and
drying laundry
Do not turn off your bathroom or kitchen extractor fans; these are
designed to reduce moisture build-up and only use a very small
amount of electricity.
Shrinkage cracks
New buildings move and shrink, so as your home continues to
settle and dry out, you’ll probably notice small cracks and gaps
on the walls, ceilings and around woodwork, especially on the
staircase. Don’t worry, these are normal and not classed as a
defect unless you can fit a £1 coin in any gap. You are responsible
for filling these minor cracks along with other decorating of your
home.
To minimise cracks and gaps:
• Try to heat your home evenly – keep the heating turned on at a
moderate temperature to avoid your home getting too hot or too
cold.
• Wait for at least 12 months before painting or decorating, so that
your home has time to dry out.
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