Mould in rented flat

littlesnuggy

That is definitely a condensation problem, not rising damp (mould requires surface moisture to survive and the pyramid shape in corners is a classic symptom of condensation). Mould is considered a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act; there's some information in this article regarding the law & landlords' obligations regarding this http://www.kiltox.co.uk/news/media/mag/environmental_health_journal/2000%2001%20-%20Raising%20damp%20and%20breaking%20mould.pdf

Hope that helps, and definitely don't be fobbed off with 'just open the windows/ run a dehumidifier etc etc'. If you are not doing anything abnormal in your home, ie you are just carrying out normal daily activities such as washing, cooking and bathing, the landlord cannot blame it on your lifestyle and must take action.

tbs624

littlesnuggy wrote: »

.....definitely don't be fobbed off with 'just open the windows/ run a dehumidifier etc etc'. If you are not doing anything abnormal in your home, ie you are just carrying out normal daily activities such as washing, cooking and bathing, the landlord cannot blame it on your lifestyle and must take action.

The LL/LA clearly has to make the effort to meet their legal obligations and properly check the building out, but it's a nonsense to suggest that "carrying out normal daily activities" would not have any effect on moisture levels in a property.

If bathroom and kitchen doors to the rest of the property are left open whilst bathing, showering, cooking etc, if washing is dried indoors on racks or steamed on radiators, if the heating is not used regularly or to a decent temperature, and if windows are not opened from time to time, then moisture from those normal daily activities will of course affect the property. The LL/LA has to ensure that the property is structurally sound, that the heating is in good working order & can do its job efficiently , and that there is ample means of ventilation, but a T can also help to improve conditions by making adjustments to their own lifestyle.

Many LLs will have experience of one of their properties which when occupied by one T has extensive black mould and a fusty smell, yet once new occupants are in place there are no further problems of a similar kind.

rich_finch

Thank you all for your above comments. That 'Shelter' procedure is very helpful and informative.

We are not doing anything abnormal in the flat so cannot think why the landlord would blame us.

This was the letter I sent to the letting agent last Friday.

"Dear sir/madame,

I am writing this letter to notify you of the severe mould problem we have in our bedroom which has still not been taken care of by the Landlord. Please find enclosed images taken on the 3rd March.

Over the past few months my wife and I have contacted yourselves on several occasions but have not yet had any luck getting this problem resolved. On the 5th of March a guy from ‘City Builders’ was sent round to assess the situation but nothing has been heard since?

I would really appreciate that this mould problem is sorted very soon, as not only is it a health risk to both my partner but it is also becoming extremely stressful that nothing is being done about it.

I look forward to hearing back from you and hope this can be resolved very soon"

I'm not very good at letter writing, but thought this would be a start.

Should I give them a call tomorrow and ask whether they have now received this letter and also ask for the landlords address plus follow this request in a letter?

Also anyone had any experience as to how to get rid of the mould? what should I expect o happen if the landlord decides to take action?

princessamy86

By all means ask them if they have received it, but in future deliver by hand or send recorded delivery. Just to cover your back! For getting rid of the mould, it depends so much on what is causing it. For condensation I think it's a really good scrub, possibly redecorating. I had something similar in my house and the DIY forum guys were very helpful http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1522921&highlight=condensation

zaphod_beeblebrox_2

OK you can get this from Sainsbury's (seriously) and it works ..





You can also get this from Sainsbury’s to 'sip' whilst your doing it (it also works) ..

clutton_2

drying clothes in a bedroom on a clothes horse is a really bad idea in a room which already has damp issues - this will cause condensation and black mould soon as you can look at a pair of damp knickers......

princessamy86

clutton wrote: »

drying clothes in a bedroom on a clothes horse is a really bad idea in a room which already has damp issues - this will cause condensation and black mould soon as you can look at a pair of damp knickers......

:rotfl: lmao!

rich_finch

That sounds like good product although it does say it shouldn't be used on painted surfaces.

If it does come down to it, is it safe to clean my self? and if so is there any precautions I should take?

tbs624

rich_finch wrote: »

.....We are not doing anything abnormal in the flat so cannot think why the landlord would blame us.

Doesn't have to be "abnormal" and it's not about blame but about checking every possibility as a means of reducing the damp/condensation & getting an early resolve.

rich_finch wrote: »

This was the letter I sent to the letting agent last Friday..........I'm not very good at letter writing, but thought this would be a start.

You're obviously a generous person who likes to give people every opportunity but you now need to get tough.. If you have had no response from the LA by Friday's post then you write again . You have to give LAs like this a specific timescale and tell them what you want them to do ( as I suggested in a previous post) or they will continue to avoid dealing with it. If they contact you by phone you then write back saying that you are writing to confirm your understanding of what has been discussed and agreed, ie a,b and c etc, and keeping a copy - you need to maintain a paper trail on repairs issues.

rich_finch wrote: »

Should I give them a call tomorrow and ask whether they have now received this letter and also ask for the landlords address plus follow this request in a letter?

Don't ask verbally = *your request must be in writing* - if the LA does not respond within 21 days of receiving the written request s/he will be committing a summary (ie, criminal )offence. You do not have to give a reason - merely say " please would you supply the name and address of my LL within 21 days, as required under Section 1 of the LL&T Act 1985" . Keep a copy and either hand deliver to the LA or send RDel.

bristol_pilot

You should never dry laundry inside a property, it puts a simply enormous load of moisture into the air and will cause condensation. Neither should a wardrobe be placed against an outside wall, as this causes the condensation to form behind the wardrobe where it can't be seen. If the cause is condensation due to drying laundry inside the property, as seems likely, then it is the tenants' fault.