Mould damage to personal possessions in rented accomodation

JGDD

I've just discovered that my 'walk in' wardrobe in my rented flat which I moved into in April is fully damp and has ruined almost £2000 worth of shoes and bags. I've contacted my insurer and none of this is covered under my personal possessions insurance.

I now have 2 lots of damp in the master bedroom now (I discovered another one about a month ago) which is forcing me to move incurring another load of letting agent fees to move etc.

Does anyone know what my rights are here? Can I get money back form anywhere? Will the estate agent be liable to refund me any fees? The first lot of damp was checked out by a man who said he'd done work on the property before yet I wasn't informed of any damp problems when I move in.

Am REALLY stressed about this so ANY help at all would really be appreciated!

Thanks

Gwhiz

You obviously have too many bags and shoes if it's taken you 4 months to notice. I recommend downsizing your fashion collection.

Jowo_2

If the mould originates through design or maintenance faults in the property, such as a leaking pipe, then you may be able to take your landlord to court for damage to your belongings if the landlord does not want to compensate you. There's a section on the Shelter website that covers this. I imagine this involves taking your landlord to the small claims court - have a look at the Moneyclaim online site to find out the process.

If the mould originates or is aggravated through your lifestyle - failure to adequately ventilate and heat the property - then its not your landlord's problem.

ILW

Cannot understand why your own contents insurace will not cover these items. Did they explain why not.

pinkshoes

Have you tried washing the clothes? If they're damp to the point of ruined, I'm surprised you didn't notice, as that level of damp must have smelt seriously musty!!

I would write to the LL, along with a statement from the man who's done work on the property before, asking for compensation. I very much doubt you'll get £2k though!! They'll only be "worth" their second hand value I think, so perhaps £300???

JGDD

ILW wrote: »

Cannot understand why your own contents insurace will not cover these items. Did they explain why not.

Apparently it's standard if things are damaged by mould or vermin, argh!

JGDD

pinkshoes wrote: »

Have you tried washing the clothes? If they're damp to the point of ruined, I'm surprised you didn't notice, as that level of damp must have smelt seriously musty!!

I would write to the LL, along with a statement from the man who's done work on the property before, asking for compensation. I very much doubt you'll get £2k though!! They'll only be "worth" their second hand value I think, so perhaps £300???

I know it's a nightmare as a lot of them were almost new winter boots and shoes and it's spread within a month. No clothes involved, it just seems to be whatever was on the bottom of the wardrobe/cupboard or next to the wall of it. The house does smell a bit musty but I keep the windows open all the time and use a load of scented candles, it's a basement flat which I've never lived in before...

Thanks though, I've contacted the letting agent, most places advise you to simply throw out anything damaged by mould which is a bit of a headache.

And to think the walk in wardrobe was a selling point for me!!

PasturesNew

I'm really good with condensation - to the extent of not cooking in the winter at all if it's after dark (I don't like to have the window open), but I do have an internal shower room that is next to a dressing room which has a cupboard and at the back I have my 2 empty suitcases. When I pulled one out after it had been in there 2 years there was a mist of damp over half of it, I found it wiped straight off with a wet wipe.

But none of my stuff is designer or expensive, so it wasn't a big deal if it had been ruined... I'd have just kicked myself for not checking more often.