some sort of mould in rented accomodation what should be done?

tbs624

lynne1985 wrote: »

.... the coal fire has been taken out but the chimney has been left open and the rain has came down it damaging the wall and plasterboard that was put over it to block it off, the whole wall is riddled with dampness

Sorry missed this bit - this *is* likely to be part of the problem - chimneys are a important source of house ventilation. Is the plasterboard across the fireplace vented or is it a solid sheet ?

Are there tightly fitted laminated floors in this property too? The types of paint/plaster/water resistant coatings etc used in a property can add to condensation problems too if they are non-porous.

Talk to the LL about the possibility of opening the fireplace back up - if he won't discuss options and get moving with it, you will have to use the EHO but you could Maybe suggest that as a "help" to find the full problem rather than as "I am reporting you "?
Ask anyone who has done up an old house about the difference that an open fireplace with a proper fire in the grate can make to the moisture levels in the property.

lynne1985

the plasterboard that was covering it has crumbled, basically we've opened the fire place up just waiting on someone coming out to determine wether to take the chimney away or to put a vent on it and one on the wall, once that has been sorted the LL is getting a de humidifier in to dry out the wall before plastering it back up (think LLs putting a vent on it) put de humidifiers in the bedroom to check the level of moisture in there. The whole house has carpets but i was planning on putting laminate flooring in the living room and main bedroom and lino/tiles in the bathroom and kitchen. The LL took over the property in the middle of June and i moved in at the start of July, he did say that nothing about the fireplace showed up onthe surveys and he is pretty livid about it but has said he will get it sorted asap and check the other chimneys he has also offered to compensate for the things that have been damaged, electricity for dehumidifier and for the upheavel the situation is causing. The mould seems to have died down and no new mould has been found (yet)

milliebear00001

All sounds good Lynne - hopefully that will be the end of your troubles. Hope you settle nicely into your new home, and congrats on your new addition!