For too long, there’s been a widely held assumption that a brand-new home is a faultless property, immune to the issues that can plague older buildings. This belief, however, is increasingly being challenged by a growing tide of evidence, revealing a surprising and concerning truth: new builds, especially those under five years old, are proving particularly vulnerable to issues like condensation, mould growth, and ventilation failures. For landlords, housing associations, and Build to Rent (BTR) operators across the UK, this isn’t just an observation; it’s a critical challenge demanding a proactive solution.
At ResiSure, we understand this evolving landscape and how important monitoring in new homes is. We specialise in providing innovative sensor solutions designed to give you unparalleled insight into the environmental health of your properties. Our mission is to help you detect issues like damp, mould, humidity, and temperature imbalances long before they escalate into costly problems, tenant complaints, or even legal battles.
The Unseen Enemy: Damp and Mould in Modern Builds
The very efforts to create energy-efficient, modern homes are, ironically, contributing to this hidden risk. While developers are striving for airtight construction and sophisticated designs, a new form of damp is emerging – one rooted in design rather than tenant neglect.
Let’s delve into why new homes are particularly susceptible:
Airtight Construction
Modern building practices prioritise energy efficiency, leading to highly sealed homes. While effective in reducing heat loss, this significantly restricts natural airflow. The result? Moisture generated from everyday activities – cooking, showering, even breathing – becomes trapped indoors, creating a breeding ground for humidity and, ultimately, mould.
Unreliable Ventilation
Hand-in-hand with airtight construction is the reliance on mechanical ventilation systems. If these systems are improperly designed, installed, or maintained, they can fail to remove moisture-laden air. This often leads to a build-up of humidity that occupants might not even notice until visible mould appears.
Moisture from Construction
Building materials themselves can be a culprit. Plaster, concrete, and screed used during construction can retain significant amounts of moisture. Post-handover, this trapped moisture slowly dissipates into the internal environment, causing humidity levels to spike in the initial months and even years of a property’s life.
Construction Issues
The pressure of construction deadlines can, unfortunately, lead to shortcuts. Poor detailing, gaps in insulation, or instances of “cold bridging” – where a part of the building envelope allows heat to escape, creating a cold spot – can all create hidden damp patches within the fabric of the building, often going unnoticed until major issues arise.
Tenant Contribution
It’s crucial to acknowledge that tenants, often through a lack of guidance or understanding, can inadvertently contribute to moisture build-up. Disabling ventilation systems to reduce noise or save energy, or drying clothes indoors without adequate ventilation, can significantly exacerbate existing humidity problems.
The Evidence is Mounting
This isn’t just speculation; the sector is providing clear evidence of this growing problem:
Housing Ombudsman 2023
A significant finding from the Housing Ombudsman in 2023 highlighted a concerning trend: a growing proportion of mould-related complaints were directly linked to homes built within the past five years. This statistic alone should give landlords pause for thought.
Social Housing Reports
Across the social housing sector, new homes continue to fail Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments, particularly where ventilation systems are substandard, incorrectly maintained, or simply not performing as intended. This indicates a systemic issue with how ventilation is being addressed in new builds.
NHBC & Local Authority Feedback
Both the National House Building Council (NHBC) and various local authorities have reported a surge in post-handover condensation complaints. These complaints are particularly prevalent during colder months, when the differential between indoor and outdoor temperatures, coupled with inadequate ventilation, creates prime conditions for condensation.
Monitoring in New Homes with ResiSure
This is where ResiSure steps in, offering a truly proactive and preventative solution to a problem that can be both financially draining and reputationally damaging. For developers, landlords, housing associations, and BTR operators, integrating ResiSure from the moment of handover – or even retrofitting to existing properties – ensures you stay not just one step, but several steps ahead of damp, mould, and the resulting tenant concerns.
With ResiSure’s wireless IoT sensors, you gain an unparalleled level of insight and control:
- Baseline Environmental Data from Day One: ResiSure provides crucial baseline data on humidity, temperature, and ventilation from completion, enabling you to set healthy benchmarks and spot deviations immediately.
- Real-time Alerts and Automated Reports: Our smart sensors continuously monitor environmental conditions, providing real-time alerts for deviations. Automated reports offer actionable insights, helping you address issues before they lead to complaints, costly claims, or HHSRS failures.
- Protection from Disrepair Claims: With rising tenant awareness and regulations like Awaab’s Law, ResiSure’s evidence-backed data is invaluable. It helps defend against disrepair claims, proves regulatory compliance, and serves as an irrefutable record of your proactive management.
- Duty of Care, Demonstrated: ResiSure helps you visibly showcase a commitment to tenant well-being, strengthening your ESG strategy. Actively maintaining healthy living environments builds tenant trust and enhances your reputation as a responsible housing provider.
Whether you are handing over a single new unit or managing an expansive portfolio of a thousand properties, ResiSure makes monitoring in new homes simple, affordable, and incredibly effective. These solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing operations, providing peace of mind and tangible benefits.
Explore ResiSure today and discover how we’re empowering the UK’s most forward-thinking housing providers to stay compliant, protect their tenants, and significantly reduce long-term risk. Don’t let the hidden risks of new builds become your next headache; embrace proactive monitoring and safeguard your investments and your tenants’ health.