As temperatures dip to zero – or even below – it's fair to say that winter in Austria is in full force.
As well as gorgeous snowy scenes, it also brings with it issues indoors, like condensation on windows that can lead to damp patches or even mould forming.
It's important to treat these issues quickly. Experts say people living in homes with mould have an increased risk of respiratory illnesses and infections.
So what you should do if you notice signs of this in your home in Austria?
How bad is the situation?
Mould occurs when there is high humidity and is often found on damp walls, ceilings, corners or floors as well as in poorly ventilated or poorly heated areas.
Around half of the population in Austria rents their home. It can be tricky to know how to handle the situation in this case. Should your landlord or property management deal with it? Or should you tackle the problem yourself?
It depends how bad it is. Often, black mould spots or mildew patches that are more yellow in colour form near windows. If the area affected is small, it's worth taking action.
According to the Arbeiterkammer (AK or Chamber for Workers and Employees), "tenants are responsible for removing mould that is purely superficial, provided that the damage is not caused by defects in the building fabric and can be prevented by heating and ventilating the rooms properly".
Of course, that might be unclear to start with.
Try and treat small mould patches with a solution like tea tree oil mixed with water or you can buy a bleach-based solution from a drugstore or hardware store. They will usually have something like "Schimmelentferner" (mould remover) on the bottle. Wear protective gloves and a mask when you're treating the area and follow instructions carefully.
And make sure you're ventilating the room by opening windows regularly. Austrians love to get fresh air into the house, even in winter!
But be careful: if you are allergic to mould, suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, or have a weakened immune system, you should stay away from it completely.
READ ALSO: Tenant or landlord: Who pays which costs in Austria?
If the mould patches don't budge, or return a few days or weeks later, you have a bigger problem.
"If the mould penetrates the masonry and cannot be removed by treating the surface alone, this constitutes serious damage to the building, which must be repaired by the landlord," says the AK.
In any case, you should let your landlord or property manager know about the issue, whether you've treated it yourself or you need help to get rid of it. Take photos as well so you have evidence of the damage.
Who is liable for mould in an Austrian apartment?
According to the Austrian Mietervereinigung (tenants association), mould has to be dealt with by the landlord or housing provider if it "poses a serious threat to the structure of the building or the health of the residents".
"The removal of mould in a rented apartment is one of the necessary maintenance works specified in the Tenancy Law Act and can be enforced by law," they say.
Here's where it gets a little tricky.
If the mould growth has been caused by the tenant – for example due to insufficient ventilation – then the landlord can reclaim the renovation costs from the tenant.
However if it's through no fault of the tenant, the tenant "has the right to reduce the rent in accordance with the impairment," says the AK. Mould can be caused by factors like leaking pipes or windows that haven't been sealed properly.
A technical expert can pinpoint the exact cause of the mould growth, however you should state clearly to your property management or landlord the measures you have taken to avoid problems, like ventilating, using a dehumidifier, heating the room or not drying clothes in the room.
"Since mould poses a health hazard, it constitutes a significant impairment of tenancy law," the Mietervereinigung says. "The law provides for the right to reduce rent in such cases. This applies to all types of tenancies."
The experts add: "If user misconduct can be ruled out, the homeowner must arrange for the renovation and bear the costs."
The AK recommends informing the landlord in writing when the mould appears. They even offer a sample letter for tenants that states a reduction in rent until the problem is sorted.
However, the Mietervereinigung, says tenants should tread carefully if demanding a rent reduction.
"The tenants' association recommends consulting our lawyers before reducing your rent, because if you pay less rent than prescribed, you risk a rent and eviction lawsuit," they say. "However, it is possible to send a registered letter to the landlord or property management company, listing the impairments and explaining that you will only pay the rent subject to a rent reduction.
"It is important to continue paying the rent in full. Declaring that you will only pay the rent subject to a reduction makes it possible to go to court later and sue for a portion of the rent as a rent reduction. It may be possible to reach an agreement with the landlord before taking this step."
READ ALSO: What tenants in Austria need to know about getting their rent reduced
Tips to keep your Austrian home mould and damp free
Ventilate! As we mentioned, lüften is ingrained in Austrian culture (and other Germanic countries). Foreigners in Austria are often surprised to find that ventilating their homes is even written into their contracts, making it legally binding.
In general, you should open windows wide at least twice a day for at least five minutes in winter and longer in summer to let the air circulate.
Other ways to reduce the risk of mould and damp forming are:
- Don't leave wet clothes to dry in rooms more at risk or use a dehumidifer to soak up the moisture
- Wipe away condensation from windows
- Move furniture a few inches away from walls to allow airflow
Useful vocabulary
Mould - (der) Schimmel
Damp - (die) Feuchtigkeit
To ventilate - lüften
Editor's note: This article, as with all our articles, is advice only. You should seek professional guidance to help with individual problems.
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