Mould in rented flat

rich_finch

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could help?

My wife and I have been renting a ground floor flat since last October and In january noticed a large damp page in the corner of our bedroom on the outside wall behind my wardrobe. When moving the wardrobe away we saw how large the damp patch was and that it was covered in all kinds of coloured mould.

We notified the estate agents straight away who act on the landlords behalf. Several weeks went by until phoned them again as we had heard nothing. By this time the mould had grew and now was also appearing under the large bay window also in the bedroom.

It wasn't until the 5th March until a guy was sent round, looked at it then said the walls will need damp proofing and he will be in contact me later that day to arrange someone else to look at it. Obviously we didn't hear anything that day or since!?

We have contacted the estate agents twice since then and I have sent them a letter last Friday to ask them to sort this problem out.

What should be my next step?

I thought maybe I should send them a 7 day letter to say that If I do not hear anything within that period I will seek legal action?

Am I within my rights to stop my rent payment at the end of the month?

The problem has gone on for a few months now and nothing is being done and from what I understand mould can become a health problem.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

clutton_2

do not stop paying your rent - you will seriously prejudice your ability to stay in the property if you do.

firstly - is it condensation - do you dry washing indoors with closed windows? do you have the wardrobe right up against the wall with no gap so that air cannot circulate

do you cook/bathe with closed windows ?

have you closed off the air vents ?

all these things create damp

if none of the above is true

then you need to put all these complaints in writing - otherwise there is no record.

Shelter have a fixed written procedure on their website as to how to deal with repairs which are not being done

rich_finch

ok.

Since we moved in we have always noticed the bedroom is always cold and I think this is mainly due to the big bay window which has double glazing but is very drafty. I don't know if this could contribute to it?

We do dry our washing indoors on a clothes hourse and it is done in the bedroom where it's out the way, the wardrobe isn't right up against the wall there is a good few inches to the side and back.

The bathroom is well ventilated so is the kitchen.

There don't seem to be any air vents.

The guy who came round and had a look was a guy from 'City Builders' who was responsible for the conversion of the flats and he said that the walls were never damp proofed as it was never requested by the owner and that it looks like water is getting in from the outside?

I wish I could post a picture on here then you can see what it is and looks like.

So I should just keep on chasing the estate agents to get something done?

rich_finch

For your information the damp and mouldy patch is at the bottom of the wall to a quarter of the way up. Not at the top near the ceiling (where from my experience mould can appear from hot/damp conditions like in a bathroom).

poppysarah

Get in touch with the local council's private sector rented hosuing team. They will assist

rich_finch

here you go, heres a couple of pictures.

rich_finch

http://gallery.me.com/richardfincham6

pinkshoes

Eww, gross! It's got white furry bits on!

princessamy86

That is a bad one! Does look like damp rather than condensation, I agree. Poppysarah is right, talk to the council but I think you have to have requested a repair in writing and left it a certain amount of time before they can take any action. Keep paying your rent though. Also hassle the agents for all you're worth, that way you won't be "forgotten"!

rich_finch

okay thanks for your advice.

It looks horrible doesn't it! I was watching homes from hell 2009 a few weeks ago and they had an expensive docklands flat who had that white fluffy mould growing just like ours and it turned out to be toxic mould!

So I'm just worried the longer it doesn't get sorted the longer it becomes a health hazard to me and my wife!

tbs624

rich_finch wrote: »

My wife and I have been renting a ground floor flat since last October and In january noticed a large damp page in the corner of our bedroom on the outside wall behind my wardrobe. When moving the wardrobe away we saw how large the damp patch was and that it was covered in all kinds of coloured mould.

Have you looked outside and checked whether there are any possible causes that you could highlight to the LA? (Leaky/blocked downpipes, cracks in rendering, stuff stacked against the wall etc)

rich_finch wrote: »

We notified the estate agents straight away who act on the landlords behalf. Several weeks went by until phoned them again as we had heard nothing. By this time the mould had grew and now was also appearing under the large bay window also in the bedroom.

Did you make this first notification in writing and did you keep a copy? You should always put in repairs issues *in writing* - a LL's repairing obligations effectively begin when they have been notified by the T, and having clear proof of when that notification was made really helps you if you have to take things further.

rich_finch wrote: »

It wasn't until the 5th March until a guy was sent round, looked at it then said the walls will need damp proofing and he will be in contact me later that day to arrange someone else to look at it. Obviously we didn't hear anything that day or since!?

We have contacted the estate agents twice since then and I have sent them a letter last Friday to ask them to sort this problem out.

You are legally entitled to know the name and address of your LL - write to the LA and ask for it - they then have 21 days to give you the information. you can then copy all future correspondence between you and the LA direct to the LL. LLs are often appalled when they discover that their property has not had maintenance/repairs issues dealt with properly, and obviously the longer damp/condensation is left the worse the potential for damage to the property, and to the T's health and personal possessions.

Enclose your photos, say that you first contacted them on (date), list out the dates your have attempted to phone or have written since and say that you would now like someone round within 48 hours to confirm what will be done and a firm deadline for that action. Say that if you cannot get them to act you will have to contact the local EHO at the Council for his opinion under the HHSRS (Housing Health & Safety Hazard Rating System).

Do not threaten to withhold rent - your rent payments are a separate issue to repairs issues.

You may also like to read this on condensation because drying damp washing in a poorly heated room will add to the problem , as will cooking with pan lids off, and showering without opening windows etc. If the problem is a structural one or related to guttering etc then it's clearly the LLs problem but you need to also show that you are doing what you can to not add to the damp conditions.