Damp, mould and condensation... help!

Sazbo2102

We have recently (in June) moved into a rented property and I am looking for some advice on mould, damp and condensation.

We were advised that there was a leak/flood in winter but were told it had been sorted. The house smells of damp, particularly in some of the kitchen cupboards and a closet. Some of the kitchen cupboards have black mould inside and therefore we are not able to use them. Also every morning we wake up to condensation on every window in the house.

Could someone please give me some advice on how best to get rid of this (preferrably on the cheap). I have been told bicarbonate of soda in the affected cupboards may work?

Thanks XXX

Sirbendy

nice! A dehumidifier would do wonders, and a chat to your landlord IMO.

We looked at a nice property a couple of months back..very nice, extension smelled damp. Estate agent gave us flannel about "previous tenants used to dry washing indoors".

I went back a few times..cupboards soaked at the base, floor stained, newish radiators rusted at the bottoms only..we passed on it. Flooded, I'm sure.

We moved out of a horrendous rented flat after 7 months not so long back..damp walls, damp ceilings, black mould, bad guttering...our landlord said "oh, a little bit of mould won't kill anyone".

I said the magic word "environmental health", and "we're breaking contract and leaving NOW," and we were allowed to go. Horrible, nasty place. Idiot landlords too.

Sazbo2102

Luckily it isn't too bad, but would prefer to be able to use our kitchen cupboards! The letting agents gave us an advice sheet on 'how to avoid condensation' when we moved in - like it is something we are causing! Perhaps they will agree to pay for a de-humidifier then? Love the house and it is in a brilliant location so would prefer to get the problem sorted than move out (it took us ages to find the right place). Thanks for the tips X

TEDDYRUKSPIN

First thing first. You need to get rid of the black mould! Use bleach. This will kill it off. You need to wipe it down. It will remove but the stain will stick. You then have the option to paint over it, if you wish.

Now condensation! Everyone has it. Open the windows. It really is so strange but you will also need to wipe the windows each morning.

Opening the windows so often is the solution. And yep. Drying clothes indoors causes the same problem. Cooking and not opening the kitchen windows. Breathing whilst sleeping causes this.

Open windows.

iamcornholio

If this mould is on the back of kitchen units, then its a symptom of a more significant damp/condensation issue. No amount of cleaning is going to sort this out as the cause is occuring behind the units - especially if these are base units with the air void behind them

It's OK reading all the anti-condensation advice, but some properties may have inherent design issues which make them more susceptible to condensation and so no amount of "normal" precautions will stop condensation issues. Also, you have to be certain that there are no current defects which are causing or contributing to elevated moisture and therefore condensation - eg was the property completely dried out following the flood?

If you have recently moved in, and the property already smells of mould and the condensation issues are present despite using ventilation (and doing all the correct things to avoid producing excess moisture in the property), and bearing in mind that this is summertime and so not peak season for condensation issues, then it may be that there is a bigger issue there than is going to be solved by opening a window and wiping with bleach

If you are satisfied that you are following the standard guidance for dealing with condensation, then you may want to get the property looked at for defects whcih the landlord should be dealing with. If the landlord wont help, then the local environmental heath officer at the council will

charlotte99

I had a simliar problem, food going damp in a kitchen cupboard on the outside wall. Had a damp survey and he used a damp meter and pulled up the floorboard and took the board off at the bottom of the kitchen cupboards.....said it;s rising damp on the outside wall.

dampdaveski

Hi Sazbo,
Does your property have extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom?
Whilst 'condensation' can be a lifestyle issue, you landlord has a duty of care to take all reasonable precautions to provide a 'damp free' house.
From the limited information you've given it does sound like there may be an underlying problem that needs more than a 'don't dry clothes inside' lecture.
I agree with iamcorn, flag it up with your landlord and if he or she doesn't help get in touch your local environmental health dept
good Luck
DD