Rental property damp problem

schaffy_2

Hi there me and my boyfriend have just got the keys for our rental property today which we have signed a 6 month lease for. When we were shown around the house about 3 weeks ago, there was a musty smell, but the agent advised us there was a damp problem in the kitchen which was being repaired and was under repair. We were happy with the house in general, so decided to go for it.
About a week later we were told that the landlord would be doing 'touch ups' and also that the damp problem had been fixed.
We finally got in today, only to find the kitchen is basically unusable. The wall cabinets shelves are all marked from the damp (possibly still have dampness in them). The floor cabinets shelves are the worst though, they are full of old cleaning products, bits of carpet, old picture frames, even weedkiller, which from the dampness has leaked onto the base of the cabinet and cause it to raise right up, and be stained bright blue! I then unrolled the blind, to find it covered in mould and mildew.
Now there is no way this is a suitable environment to keep and prepare food. I'm totally disgusted.
I also specifically asked his old washer and fridge to be removed, which has not been done, though he is going to move these, I dread to think what lurks behind the washer with all that damp...

Also he has left some bedding in the bedroom, which has what looks to be urine and blood stains, absolutely vile, and the letting agents working on behalf of the landlord had the cheek to put these on the inventory!!!

Other problems we picked up on after further inspection are that the back door has a gap where the hinges have bent, so is letting a draft in. Also there are plug sockets which are loose, one of the bedroom doors wont shut as the carpet pile is too high, the kitchen wall in one corner has signs of dampness, or at least needs painting over where it has previously been damp, there is cracked tiles in the bathroom which are allowing mould to grow, there are also signs of damp in one of the bedrooms, although I appreciate this could be due to the house being unoccupied for so long.

Basically I would like to know where I stand with having all these problems sorted re. my rights? Really I think the kitchen units need ripping out and replacing as they are quite damaged from the damp, but I can't see this being done. I really am so angry that we have paid £650 bond, £550 rent pcm (one month paid in advance) and have also been told we must take out contents insurance and insurance to cover any damage we may inflict on the property accidentally, when it is in such a state!!!

Any advice at all on where to go with this would be much appreciated. Would it be reasonable for me to request it to be repaired and professionally cleaned? I suffer asthma which is affected by damp and also isnt helped by STRESS!!!

PoppyHoppy

Hi there, gosh this sounds awful. I really feel for you.
What does it say in your tenancy agreement? It should outline your landlord's, as well as your responsibilities in terms of health and safety/tidyness/repair and maintenance. This may give you something to raise with the agent. I would write a list of all issues and ask the landlord/agent what he plans to do regarding each issue and when you can expect it done by - get this in writing.
It would also be worth checking whether there is a landlord accreditation scheme in your area - this gives landlords minimum standards - this includes damp - so they could help add some oopphh.
Best of luck.

lynzpower

First of all , you need to keep a full diary of every phone call that you make.

You need to send an email to the landlord/ agent ASAP with a full list of everything that you believe needs to be repaired and removed as per your agreements and to the basic maintainence of the property. Attach digital photos to the email and send a hard copy in the post.

Give outlines in that as to how available you are to give access to contractors/ landlord/agent to assess.

Give ideas of the timescales.

You may wish to build a bridge and work together with them. Here the agent left a fridge, but Ive managed to get the council to take it away and it has been no bother to do that as the council collect 3 big lots a year for free. What can you do to help too. Dont be obstructive, it will make things stressful.

If they do nothing after you have given them a reasonable chance then up the ante and ask your local Environmental health officers to come and take a look round and they can enforce essential works.

cairey

Hello schaffy
i am also in private rental and have problems with my landlady not doing anything to sort damp problems out,of which also affecting my health. so i phoned the local council and got environmental health up to come out, of which they came out and told the landlady to get a an independant survey done, have since still not heard any thing from landlady so the environmental health now chasing things up and going to get her to do something,which they can enforce and may cost her if she doesnt do the work she may end up in court apparently,as she breaking her agreement.
hope this helps it cant hurt to give them a ring to enquire like i did and get it sorted as living like that will exacerbate your health.
good luck

cairey

hi lynzpower
i asked my landlady to certain worksto no avail,so took pictures as well then got environmental health out and now dealing with them also which just recommended to schaffy
thanks

schaffy_2

Hi everyone, thank you for your replies there's a lot of helpful info there for me. Do you think there might even be any way I could get out of the 6 month contract? As I have not moved anything in yet and am concerned that it's going to be an ongoing problem.
Thanks again!

lynzpower

Unless the landlord wants to let you out of the contract and agrees to dissolve it, no.

You are contracted to pay the rent on the property, even if the property isw not habitable due to eg fire/flood, the responsibility to pay lies with you (although the LL may find alternative temp accom for you)

Does the LL have any other properties that might be in better shape in the area?

PoppyHoppy

I think Lynzpower suggestion of considering other properties is a great one. It shows the agent that you're trying to be reasonable. I'm not sure on this, but maybe they could give you a variation to contract for another property.
I would have a discussion with the agent and ask them about this, and advise that if you remain bound to your contract, you will have no choice to get enviro health involved if the situation isn't remedied in an agreeable timeframe.
Best of luck