Letting problems!

donquine

dizziblonde wrote: »

Dunno if they'll work but I'm about to buy a few of these http://www.lakeland.co.uk/moisture-trap/F/keyword/moisture/product/21538 to put in the rooms in our house that still have single glazing (we've got an octagonal window - very PlaySchool that I doubt somehow we're going to ever be able to find a double glazing company to do) and see how they work catching the condensation we're getting on the windows. Figure for the cost of 'em it's worth a shot.

We use these: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/F/product/21540

They took a while to start working, but have really helped. Our flat is prone to condensation due to its design, but we now have minimal problems. Onto our second box of 3 now!

chris_m

clb776 wrote: »

I wouldnt have the windows open and heating on, waste of money.

So where is the evaporated moisture going to go if you don't let it get outside?

poppysarah

donquine wrote: »

We use these: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/F/product/21540

They took a while to start working, but have really helped. Our flat is prone to condensation due to its design, but we now have minimal problems. Onto our second box of 3 now!

pound shop sells them as does b&q. Might be cheaper.

Meatballs

If you are getting condensation on the actual walls after a night with someone sleeping in there I would suggest that they are insulated poorly/insufficiently. Everyone should get condensation on their windows at some point (loads if it is single glazing), and this is where it should start appearing. When it appears on the walls despite sufficient airflow you are going to have problems for the duration of your tenancy as we did.

It might not be rising damp causing the problem, but a property can be inadequately insulated which means you have to do loads to prevent it. Best to speak to environmental health officer at council to see if they can deduct main causes and force improvements to be made.

In the mean time keep a record of what you are doing to improve airflow and try following:

Always open window before shower unless you have an extractor fan, even then you might want to open it.

Open kitchen window when cooking, use extractor fan if you have one (some are just filters which are useless at removing condensation), keep lids on pans when boiling water.

When weather permits dry clothes outside, it's much quicker.

To increase airflow have windows opposite sides of house open with doors open. If it's bloody freezing don't open them too much or stick dehumidifier on.

If you do get mould get some proper anti mould spray, not just bleach. Follow the instructions as it is pretty toxic though. B&Q use to do - http://www.polycell.co.uk/products/polycell_mould_killer.jsp

Wings

As a LL myself, damp through condensation this time of the year is a major problem for ALL LLs, including local authorities and housing associations.

As other posters have mentioned ventilation, control of heating, washing is some of the ways to combat condensation, BUT some properties through the way they have been constructed will always suffer through condensation.

The OP, in the interest of his family's health needs to call immediately his local Council's Environmental Health Officer, perhaps if the OP puts this first in writing to his LL, the LL might allow the OP/tenant to end his AST, or to a mutual agreement.