Just had inspection

charlie792

Right-o Ive just had an inspection for my flat and they told me Im not meant to dry my clothes on radiators or they will charge me.....Id love to know how the hell else Im meant to get them dry - last time I used the airer it took 5 days and it was still damp....:mad:

Moomum

I remember that being in my last contract too, luckily we had a tumble drier. Wonder why it's not allowed?!

*Robin*

Get a dehumidifier. Put the clothes on the airer [in a heated room] and run the dehumidifier next to it.

Not as good as a tumble dryer, but won't cause condensation/damp which will get you into trouble with your LL.

cycloneuk

natmid wrote: »

I remember that being in my last contract too, luckily we had a tumble drier. Wonder why it's not allowed?!

Drying clothes in doors can make the place damp and is one of the biggest causes, although drying on a rad would be better than an airer.

pinkshoes

Just make sure all windows are open to prevent damp, or use tumble dryer!

Oh, and make sure you're not drying clothes during next inspection!!

BitterAndTwisted

If you have to dry clothes on a radiator you should ensure that the door to the room is closed and the window open a crack. Drying clothing indoors in winter is the number one cause of condensation and mould. If you cause mould growth it will be bad for your health and bad for your wallet because the landlord would be entitled to charge you for the damage it causes.

Why not dry your stuff at the launderette?

anselld

It is not good practice because it leads to condensation/mould as the water needs to go somewhere so it condenses on any cold surface.

Having said that, IMHO the LL is not entitled to ban it or charge for it, though it could be used against you if there turns out to be mould damage to the property when you check out. The risk of this will be reduced if you ventilate rooms well by opening windows.

Using an airer indoors is no better. At this time of year only real alternative if you don't have a tumble drier is the launderette. (or get a de-humidifier)

Lucy_Lastic

I dry my clothes on an airer in a (spare) heated room and never have a condensation problem.

A friend of mine dries hers on the radiators and her house always has wet windows/condensation. If there is wallpaper behind or above the radiators then that can start peeling off as well.

If you use a tumble drier then I would recommend a condensing one.

charlie792

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Why not dry your stuff at the launderette?

I don't know of any anywhere around...

I know everyone is saying 'its because it causes damp' - However the EA just admitted to me they already knew the house had a big damp problem before we even moved in (funny that never came up in the viewing) - turns out our freshly painted walls wern't anything to do with the previous tenants 'decorating skills' - purely to hide the walls underneath.
Also I dry my clothes in our study and there is absolutely no damp problems in there

I can't afford a dehumidifier (I did buy those little boxes but that did nothing) - Im of the opinion if they already knew about the damp problems in the house the LL should be providing me with a dehumidifier anyway....Im actually angry I bothered to clean up all the mould - The EA was surprised it wasnt over the lino and wall in the kitchen - he actually asked me if we had any to which I responded that Id cleaned it all up last night!

BitterAndTwisted

Well, ask them to supply you with a dehumifier if there's already a damp problem but I can assure you that drying clothes indoors in winter will only make it much, much worse. It's your health and your wallet at risk

PasturesNew

*Robin* wrote: »

Get a dehumidifier. Put the clothes on the airer [in a heated room] and run the dehumidifier next to it.

Not as good as a tumble dryer, but won't cause condensation/damp which will get you into trouble with your LL.

I would say do this too. Three-fold benefit:
- clothes dry quicker
- it has a double-use of keeping damp at bay generally
- the air it produces is easier to warm, so in a small way reduces your heating bill

You can get some lovely, small, portable units these days too quite cheaply. And you can take it with you, so easier to cart about in life than a drier.

£100 tops.