When it comes to selling a home, there are a few hoops that you need to jump through. You’re probably already aware that you’re legally required to represent the property exactly as it is. However, if your home has a small amount of damp, you don’t necessarily have to disclose it. There are some exceptions, though.
When Do You Need To Disclose Damp To A Buyer?
The damp itself is not the issue when it comes to selling your home, but the damage that it causes is.
If the damp issues in your home are causing structural damage, this must be declared. It also needs to be declared if the damp is a result of flooding, no matter whether the flooding is current or happened in the past. In addition, if the damp has attracted a pest problem this must also be stated.
What Causes Damp Problems?
Damp occurs due to a retention of water. There are many different ways that damp can be introduced. It could be coming from the ground or be a result of condensation, for example. Damp can also affect timber, causing dry rot and wet rot. If any of your walls are in contact with soil, they could be subject to rising damp. This happens because your walls act like a sponge to the moisture in the soil. The more porous your walls are, the worse the damp can be.
What Damage Does Damp Cause?
Damp can cause a multitude of issues, and they often creep up unexpectedly. As you may expect, damp introduces mould. Mould can be unsightly, unsafe and able to grow rapidly. Black mould has a harmful effect on human health, so if you spot it you should work to get rid of it quickly.
As well as black mould, damp can also encourage growth of other fungus. The sight of mushrooms growing in your home can be quite alarming, but they are likely to be harmless. Mushroom growth in the home is usually a sign of dry rot, as they tend to grow on timber. These develop quickly, and the mushrooms absorb all the moisture in your timber. This leads to significant structural damage. If you spot mushrooms growing in your home, you must seek out the help of an expert straight away.
Does Damp Devalue A House?
It’s quite possible. If the damp issues that you have are severe, like dry rot or rising damp, then the value of your home is sure to be affected. This is because there is a huge risk of structural damage, which will be costly to repair. Therefore, treating dry rot and rising damp is a very good idea if you’re planning on selling your home.
If the damp issues in your home are a result of condensation, it shouldn’t have any effect on your property value. Make sure you ventilate your home well and consider investing in a condensation control unit if the problem is difficult to control.
Can You Still Sell A Home With Damp Problems?
Yes! As long as you disclose any issues that are likely to cause structural damage or health issues, there’s no reason why would couldn’t put your home on the market. However, sorting the issue is likely to result in a bigger pool of buyers and a better asking price.
Get Your Home Ready For Sale With Dampshield’s Damp Proofing Services
If you want to get your damp problems resolved before putting your home on the market, give Dampshield a call today. We can assess your home and let you know the best course of action to keep damp at bay. No matter whether your issues are extensive or minor, our team will be able to help.
