Mould & increased heating costs because the neighbor doesn't heat? You should know this!

Hidden dangers for tenants due to non-heating

The temperatures outside are dropping, but many people still leave the heating on low to save costs. This is a particular problem in apartment buildings with thin, poorly insulated interior walls. This is because the heating behavior of the neighbors also affects the adjacent apartments. If one apartment remains cold, the neighboring households are forced to turn up their heating if they want to achieve comfortable temperatures. Their heating costs rise and an imbalance in the heat distribution in the house is created. Individual heating behavior not only places a financial burden on the neighbourhood, but also threatens cold bridges in the adjacent partition walls. In addition, non-heating poses the risk of mold growth due to moisture caused by condensation on the cold walls. Mold not only damages the building fabric, it also causes serious health problems, especially for people with respiratory diseases.

Dangerous types of mold in the home & health risks

Mold in the home can pose various health risks. It is important to note that all types of mold can be potentially harmful to health if they are present in large quantities. We present three particularly common types of mold that are considered potentially dangerous.

Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold)

This type of mold is of particular concern to humans as it can produce mycotoxins that are considered potentially harmful to health. Stachybotrys chartarum is associated with various health problems, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, fatigue and headaches.

Black mold often has a green-black color and prefers to grow on materials with a high cellulose content, such as plasterboard, wood or paper.

Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a common mold found indoors. However, in people with weakened immune systems, it can lead to more serious problems, including respiratory infections, pneumonia and systemic infections.

Aspergillus fumigatus can have different colors, from white to yellow to green. It often grows on damp surfaces, such as in bathrooms or near leaks.

Penicillium

Some types of Penicillium can trigger allergic reactions and are particularly problematic for people with respiratory diseases or allergies. Penicillium can also produce mycotoxins in higher concentrations.

Penicillium mold can appear in different colors, including blue, green or yellow. It often grows on food, wallpaper, carpets and other organic materials.

It is important to note that the accurate identification of mold types is often done through professional inspections and testing. If mold growth is suspected in the home, it is advisable to seek professional help to have an accurate analysis performed and take appropriate measures to remove mold.

Rental clause: Obligation to provide evidence of heating & ventilation according to regulations

According to tenancy law, you must use your apartments appropriately. This includes ensuring appropriate temperatures and regular ventilation. These obligations apply to tenants in order to prevent damage to the apartment caused by mold or damp. Unfortunately, you have no legal recourse if your neighbor does not comply with these obligations and you are affected by the cold from the neighboring apartment. This means that you cannot force your neighbor to heat more. This is because he only has a duty to the landlord and not to you as a neighbor.

How to prove that the mold growth is caused by your neighbor's behavior

To reduce the risk of damage, you should ventilate regularly. This ensures air exchange and removes moisture from the room. We have explained how correct ventilation works in our article"Correct ventilation: The best tips".

You can prove that you comply with the heating and ventilation obligations in your home and thus prevent mold on your part. If mould does develop, you have proof that this is not due to your behavior, but either to the building fabric or the heating behavior of your neighbor. With an air measuring device that checks the relevant measured values of humidity, oxygen (O₂), air temperature (T) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the room. The air-Q measures how the air components change in real time and saves this in clear graphs that you can present to the landlord should they make a claim.