Humidity
how to prevent humidity?
Air your home : open your windows for at least 10 minutes a day.
Avoid hanging out damp linen in small, enclosed rooms.
In winter, keep the heating on, even slightly : this prevents your walls from getting cold (and therefore humid).
These actions and tips can help, but they’re not always enough. If the humidity comes from the building (walls, ceilings, leaks…), it’s not your fault!
Condensation and infiltration
In legal proceedings, the causes of humidity are often blamed on the tenant for one of the reasons listed above (poor ventilation, damp laundry, or even simply “breathing too much”).
It is therefore important to identify the source of the humidity, which can also be caused by the building (wear and tearThe condition of equipment that has become faulty or less effective over time (e.g. a rusty radiator). It’s not due to misuse., damage, infiltrationsAn infiltration of water or humidity occurs when water slowly and discreetly enters a place where it shouldn’t be, such as inside the walls, ceiling, or floor of a building. This can happen due to rain, a leak, or a waterproofing problem. Over time, it can cause damage like stains, mould, or even weaken the structure of the building., condensationThis is when water vapour in the air turns into droplets upon contact with a cold surface (like a window or wall). This often occurs in poorly ventilated rooms. due to poor design of the premises, etc).
It is advisable to seek help and advice from specialised associations or unions to better understand the origin of the humidity in your home, and to check whether the causes are related to the building.
What to do if the humidity persists?
1 Contact your landlord to report the humidity problem and ask them to take responsibility for it ;
Notify them in written form (registered letterRegistered letter: A letter sent with acknowledgment of receipt, which serves as proof that the recipient received the letter. This process costs around €10. or email) with photos of the moldMold: These are microscopic fungi that appear as spots (often black or green) due to humidity. They can damage surfaces and harm your health.
Specify that you are requesting a quick intervention to address the problem at its source (not just repainting).
Keep a written record of all communications.
2 If nothing changes, you can contact several associations that can support you ! And if you come into conflict with your landlord, there are solutions.