Damage to my Rented property - not my fault! Advice please!

tbs624

There may be "defective premise" issues which the LL needs to address but you do , as the others have said, need to do what you can to minimise the effects of the damp/condensation problem yourself by keeping the property adequately aired an d heated and making an effort to clean mould away from windows, tile grouting etc

Useful info from Haringey Council here

You should write to the LL, listing out your previous attempts at discussion on the issue so that at least you have some kind of record. Keep a copy.

Bear in mind when you move out you have to leave the property in the same condition as when originally let to you, save for fair wear and tear. LL has to be able to adequately show the state of the property at the start of the tenancy and that any damage charged for was caused by you. What does the signed inventory (if there is one) say about the condition of the property?

As someone else has already said, the LL cannot expect you to foot the entire bill for a brand new carpet even if the damage was caused by you. Google "Mydeposits" and "landlords guide to fair wear and tear" to see how this works.

princeofpounds

These mould arguments come round on this site like... well... a bad case of mould!

Unfortunately there tends to be a general attitude that condensation mould is the fault of the tenant. Which it can be, but often it's like blaming an eskimo for not keeping his igloo a toasty 20 centigrade - the house design is often so awful that living in it without moisture is near-impossible (lack of outside space to dry clothes, poor heating systems, poor insulation, blocked vents).

Your key priority is to minimise damage as much as possible, and your liability for it. WRITE to your landlord. Put in the exhaustive lengths you are going to in order to tackle the problem. Buy a dehumidifier, apparently they aren't expensive to run. Ask your landlord to share a contribution. Suggest modifications (fixing vents, radiators, anything).

Then on your first opportunity, give notice and move out as you seem to want to do so.

The important point is to make yourself seem as reasonable as possible so that when it comes to adjudication you are presented in the best possible light.

Also, if anything that has been damaged is old then remember to make that point in adjudication - landlords do not get 'as new' prices but depreciated ones.

clockworkboy

I had a similar problem with huge patches of dark mould collecting behind furniture, under windowsills and on blinds. Like posters above, it was a poor flat design with little ventilation coupled with me not liking a warm flat. I picked up one of the anti-mould sprays which got the walls clean enough that everything looked _fine_ on check-out. Spray it on, leave for 10 minutes, then wipe clean. Do that then do it again a week later.

The smell is... bracing, but it'll clear up any colds you have too.

lizzywig

I hope what I have to say makes you feel better. Before we moved in the LL advised that we should keep windows open, extractor fans on etc, wipe windows down every morning etc to deter mould. So 6 months down the line when we started getting mould we paniced thinking we wont get out deposit back, she's going to charge us loads of money etc. When the winter came I got really ill from the mould and so we tried cleaning it with a mould cleaner. It wasn't until we had a crack in the wall and had to have a decorator out (which she paid for) and he told us that he was doing a mould treatment a few doors down (also owned by LL) that we thought it could be connected. We asked one of the other houses that she owns (they're adjoined converted houses) and they also had mould. We went to the council for some advice on how to deal with it...nothing is ever simple...once we had 'informed' them they had to investigate. We were advised that once they become aware of a potential Housing Health and Safety Rating hazard (as defined by the 2004 Housing Act) they are under a duty to inspect, so they did. He looked around and said he would be making recommedation. I advised the LL and apologised for not going to her first - she said the usual - just open the windows etc. He (the man from the council) said he specialises in mould and you should not open windows, turn heating up or clean the mould, they are all things that make it worse. He also said that whilst a dehumidifier works for a small amount if there is a more serious problem it won't work. LL recieved a letter from the council informing her that she had to do certain things or else they would take her to court. Now all the houses she owns are having this work done next week and hopefully it should be better for the next people. I asked the council man if we were accountable for any of the damage the mould had caused and he said no. If you LL won't do anything you should definitely go to the council.

neas

Agree it can be building but we have a humidity monitor. If you dont open windows and we have a bath upstairs room go to about 70-80% humiiditty.

If we left it like that leve lmould could grow... but we open the window/extractor fan or if its raining outside we put dehumidifer and fan on and viola its back down to 50% humidity. Living a high humidity flat sucks, glad my house is fine.

ruggedtoast

As a tenant you are required to sort out problems like mold yourself as part of your general cleaning, unless the mold is due to an inherent problem in the house.

This is why you should never ignore a damp or mold problem, partly for your health, but also so you can report it in writing and ensure you arent liable for any mold damage when you check out.