Flaking paint in rented house

talulahbeige_2

I live in a rented house.
The en-suite shower room is painted in the exact same paint as the rest of the house (eg cheap) and there is only one coat on the walls.
Over time the paint has started to flake and come away with the steam from the shower(this is how we know there is only 1 coat on). We use the extractor fan religiously even when it is the middle of the day and the shower room is full of daylight.

We know the LL made the previous tennant re-paint the room when they left, however the man is tight and as we know them they did it to save any hassle

Who is responsible for putting this right? Us or the LL?

Thanks for yorur helpful comments

may_fair

There's no clear answer to this. The LL may argue that you didn't adequately ventilate the bathroom, making you liable because you failed to act in a tenant-like manner; you'll say you always used the extractor fan and that the paint is not suitable for bathrooms, making it fair wear and tear, for which you're not liable.

If you can't agree on it, then only a court or deposit scheme adjudicator can decide which of you is right.

jjlandlord

I have that issue myself: Paint in bathroom was flaking because of the humidity. In my experience ventilation does not make the problem go away (unless perhaps tenant is willing to take showers with windows wide open) because it seems mainly due to condensation on the paint while the shower is in use.

Presumably deposit scheme adjudicators have some experience/knowledge of such an issue, in which case OP should have a fair chance.

may_fair

jjlandlord wrote: »

I have that issue myself: Paint in bathroom was flaking because of the humidity. In my experience ventilation does not make the problem go away (unless perhaps tenant is willing to take showers with windows wide open) because it seems mainly due to condensation on the paint while the shower is in use.

Are you using special bathroom or oil-based paint? Because I've not had this problem at all, at home or in rentals. My bathroom at home doesn't even have an extractor (we just open the window, old-fashioned I know!)

talulahbeige_2

jjlandlord wrote: »

(unless perhaps tenant is willing to take showers with windows wide open)

We do this too!!
thanks for your response

piggeh

We have the same situation. Is it just the paint flaking? We have some black mould (despite having extractor fan on and windows open - except when its freezing) and I'm thinking of getting Env Health in about the mould to get the tight git to clean & repaint the ceiling.. and also because its worth 100 points on the housing register scoring so could move out into a 1 bedroom flat for same money it costs to houseshare.

Wee_Willy_Harris

piggeh wrote: »

We have the same situation. Is it just the paint flaking? We have some black mould (despite having extractor fan on and windows open - except when its freezing) and I'm thinking of getting Env Health in about the mould to get the tight git to clean & repaint the ceiling.. and also because its worth 100 points on the housing register scoring so could move out into a 1 bedroom flat for same money it costs to houseshare.

Environmental health will suggest a bleach solution/mould preventer to clean it. As a tenant, you should be keeping the place clean, so they may suggest that your domestic hygiene regime be tightened up to bring you more in line with the rest of the civilised world. The chances of a bit of mould in the bathroom being worth extra priority/points on the social housing list is, frankly, doubtful.

piggeh

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

Environmental health will suggest a bleach solution/mould preventer to clean it. As a tenant, you should be keeping the place clean, so they may suggest that your domestic hygiene regime be tightened up to bring you more in line with the rest of the civilised world. The chances of a bit of mould in the bathroom being worth extra priority/points on the social housing list is, frankly, doubtful.

you're a funny man

Although if you read through the points which they consider a health hazard, black mould growth is included. Also it's very difficult to clean off a flaking ceiling without destroying the lovely paintwork.

Wee_Willy_Harris

piggeh wrote: »

you're a funny man

Although if you read through the points which they consider a health hazard, black mould growth is included. Also it's very difficult to clean off a flaking ceiling without destroying the lovely paintwork.

I'll accept that, in certain circs, black mould can be a health hazard (as can knives in the fork compartment of the cutlery drawer), it is almost always either preventable or easily remedied. I'm sure the EHO will give you plenty of advice on that front. They may even suggest the use of a fungicidal paint/wash, which should do the trick nicely. There role is to remedy the issue and bring the property up to a minimum standard, not to encourage the "victim" to move. That would only serve to repeat the issue and reward what is, in most cases, little more than neglect.

piggeh

I don't know how people get away with knives in the fork compartment, that's very worrying, and surely a legal case waiting to happen.

p.s. how often do you clean the ceiling in your bathroom, out of interest? I admit its not on our cleaning rota, I normally thought ceilings stayed clear of flaking paint and mould unless there was a problem in ventilation or maybe the wrong paints being used.

G_M

Take photos and send them to the landlord. Tenants should advise their LL's of maintenance work that is required. Make clear that this is a wear and tear issue, and that the bathroom needs re-painting preferably in a water-!!!!!! paint.

Even if the LL takes no action, it puts it on record in case of a dispute later.