Need advice on our (Defective?) rented property

seanparkin

Hi,

Just need a bit of initial advice really from the many clever people that hang out here on my rented flat!

At the moment we have an issue with the windows in our property, they are double glazed but a few of them have 'failed' (terminology used by the landlord) - there is a 'haze' and artifacts inbetween the double glazing.

Also the window frames are the original wooden frames built with the house (approximately 1982) - they have been repainted this September because they look to me like they are rotting. Draughts and condensation were pouring through now (not so much now they've been painted over, but still apparent) and we are also getting black 'mould' (?) around the sides of the window frames, and this has also come up onto our leather suite etc. which regularly needs wiping down.

We've asked for this to be sorted through the letting agency, and the landlord keeps coming back with 'if you keep the flat warm, you should be alright' - obviously with draughty windows anyway this is difficult and expensive for us to do! We've asked for replacement windows but the landlord has said he will not do them before next September.

Is it normal to expect this 'mould' coming around the windows? We both work 8-6 monday-saturday so the flat is unoccupied for quite a lot of time where we obviously leave the heating off.

We have other issues as well as this, one of the four hobs on the cooker has stoped lighting (the ignitor (?) has gone) and he solved this by giving us a hand lighter. The oven door handle came off in my fiances hand, hitting her in the head (!) after already being 'glued' back on.

Are these issues acceptable for rented accomodation? or even normal? It is my first property (I'm only young!) in the big wide world by myself (and my fiance, in the same position) so not sure what I should expect really!

Thanks!

frugglewump

Acceptable? Well it depends on your rent & your landlord.

From my experience:

The issues you describe are the sort of things I found frequently when in student rented accomodation, but not now we rent from someone who does not let to students.

There are temporary fixes for the damp problem - i would ask on the old-style board. Personally before damp problems were fixed at one flat we left the heating on 10C all day - but the gas central heating was good quality and never cost more than £20 per month even in winter.

If , however, either of you has asthma or other breathing problems then keep an eye on them and maybe on how frequently you get coughs. Pointing out the damp was a health problem managed to get one of my landlords to do something about it.

The legal side of things - as in the landlord's responsibility - check your contract wording and try pointing out the the letting agency that next september is not accpetable? If it comes down to the landlord saying fine you can always move out you need to know what the contract says.

canny_yorkshireman_2

you could fix the windows by fitting a cheap secondery seal its a bit like cling film but stronger and not very expensive. As for the fixtures and fittings not working/dangerous then the landlord is normally responsible for these so you could advise your landlord that you are in the process of getting quotes for the remedial work and will invoice him accordingly,if he does not fix the problems in a reasonable time

poppysocks1

Hi Seanparkin

Just read your post - i had a very similar experience with my rented flat a few months ago (August) - we had white mould growing on clothes, sofas, damaging books, under wooden tables etc, and it was determined that it was a "ventilation/condensation" problem due to insuffiently ventilating the basement flat that we occupied, as we were both at work from 8 - 6pm. After much documentation of the problem (photographs emailed to the landlord/letting agency, saying that it was affecting our health, doctors notes, calls to environmental health etc)and calls to Shelter we were supplied with a dehumidifier which was expensive to run, then we had a special air circulating machine fitted which hopefully has solved the problem.

However with note to your email I would say it is not acceptable to live in a property with black mould and you do have housing rights that are protected by law.

I found the following on https://www.shelter.org.uk (Ring free on 0808 800 4444. The lines are open seven days a week from 8am to midnight). I suggest you call them for free advice as they will tell you where you stand in relation to your tenancy agreement, landlord responsibilities and your next step.

I recommend that you take photographs of the problem, keep a note of telephone calls/letters to your landlord/letting agency (dates/times etc), keep any evidence (so dont wipe your sofa - take photos of this first), if you have had to go to the doctors if it is affecting your health keep doctors notes. I put everything in an email so had them to refer to again if i needed to. I also knew that they would receive it as phoning up i could be told that the person "was in a meeting" etc.

One of my friends has bought a flat but has repairs done through the housing association, and the repairs were taking ages to get done so she decided to telephone the H.A. at 9am everyday saying that she will keep calling until they come out and sort the damp problem - it worked as they just wanted to get rid of her calling constantly!!

I also had to keep on at the landlord to sort our damp problem out, as i felt it was getting overlooked and all the time we were having to live in the flat with our possessions getting ruined so i must admit i did send a lot of emails but you are the ones living in the flat and you just want it sorted out.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Poppysocks