Because there is less heating
Mold cases have increased significantly
Tenant associations in Switzerland are overwhelmed with reports of mold in apartments and houses. The reason: low heating temperatures.
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Mold infestation is a big problem in Switzerland this winter.
If you turn down your heating a few degrees this winter, you may be in for a nasty surprise at some point: black spots spreading on the walls in the bathroom or kitchen. Mold cases have increased sharply in Switzerland, as reported by the SRF program “10 vor 10”. Both tenant associations and building renovation companies are overwhelmed with reports.
The reason: lower heating temperatures. Roger Frei, head of building renovations at Rolf Schlagenhauf AG, said on the show: “Less heating and high humidity increase the risk of mold forming, especially on the outside walls.”
Heat less – ventilate more selectively
Walter Angst from the Zurich Tenants’ Association also points to this connection. He criticizes that the federal government has omitted an important point in its energy-saving campaign: “Unfortunately, it does not say that those who heat less should ventilate more specifically at the same time.”
According to Angst, mold should not be removed by the tenants themselves. He advises reporting an infestation to the landlord by registered letter. According to tenancy law, the tenant must pay for the mold removal. Depending on how severe the infestation is, treatment can cost between 500 and several thousand Swiss francs.
Risk of respiratory diseases
Even if the landlord has to bear these costs legally, according to Fabian Gloor, a lawyer at the Swiss German Tenants’ Association, there are always discussions between tenants and landlords. “Landlords say the tenants are to blame for not ventilating enough. Tenants, for their part, argue that the apartment is poorly insulated,” says Gloor.
The lawyer advises tenants to demand their rights and not to back down. Because there are often several causes that promote mold. It is important to report the mold quickly so that it can be professionally removed. Otherwise, the risk of respiratory diseases increases.