Estate agents and landlord not fixing damp - need help

funsizeapples

Hi there
This is a bit of a long one really. We moved in and we have damp and mould in an interior built in wardrobe which is now appearing on the lounge wall. The estate agents did nothing for a month and then their maintenance guy came in and said we have dry rot and rising damp. The house maintenance is run by Somer Housing. one of their guys came round for 5 mins sand said oh no no its not that it is condensation and they will paint it with some kind of silicone paint. I spoke to the estate agents and said can we get a 3rd opinion as we have been told 2 different things and she said yes both us and the landlord should. I have been trying to get people round but they wont come without permission from the landlord. I asked the estate agents and today i received an email saying the landlord refuses us to have anyone else round and Somer housing will come and paint it on Tuesday.
I am worried they are covering up a problem that will still be there - can we do anything???

may_fair

Yes, you can ask the Environmental Health Officer at the local council to inspect; the council has the power to make the LL comply with his repairing obligations. Note that this is unlikely to go down well with the LL, though, and if you have an AST in England/Wales, he may decide to serve notice.

pararct

Rising damp in the middle of August? Not saying it is impossible but certainly very unusual. Moreover these problems are usually caused by condensation, particularly in the space/circumstances you have described. If it is condensation then some sort of silicone paint will not 'fix it'. It it your 'lifestyle' factors that may be causing it. Do you dry clothes indoors? Do a lot of cooking or showering without properly ventilating the kitchen/bathroom? A few years ago building regulations changed meaning all bathrooms undergoing renovation or new build had to have extractor fans fitted. It was the the interior condensation problems as to why this was introduced. If it is your 'lifestyle factors' then be aware the LL may be within his rights to charge you for repairs either now or when you eventually leave the property. google interior condensation, there is a wealth of information/advice out there along with images to help you identify what sort of problem you have.

funsizeapples

Thank you both so much for this this is really helpful. We have changed our lifestyle dramatically since it was first reported on 19th July. We leave outside doors open when showering (not overly safe but i would rather that than the stuff growing on the walls). We have the heating on for an hour every day even on the hot days and i have the doors open when i cook and dry clothes outside (weather permitting). The damp is still getting worse so it is definitely not our lifestyle as this has changed and it is still occuring.
I will speak with the council today and see what can be done.
Thanks again!!

dodger1

I always like an easy life so I'd let them do the painting and see what happens especially as they going to do it pretty quickly. If the painting doesn't work then you have more proof that it's something else.