A friends situation

illmonkey

This might take a minute!

A friend of mine started dating someone from work, they quickly moved into here place she was renting, she has a kid. They are now having a child together.

The flat they rent is very cheap for the area, but it has its downsides.

Basically, its a 1 bed flat, which 3 (soon to be 4) share, and the 5 year olds bed is up against a wall which is covered in mould and is constantly wet.

There is also alot of mould dotted around the place, and around the bathroom etc. A few weeks back they had an "emergency" where water was seeping out through walls and was just appearing. I was on my way over to help move a sofa anyway, and when i got there i took a look at the problem.

Turns out it was the header tank (more of a big bucket high up) was over flowing as the flow stopper wasn't working very well. I sorted it out on a temporary basis, so it still worked but didn't over flow and told them to call their rental company.

They called and asked for a plumber who came out the next day. Once it was all sorted out, they phoned up to ask what to do about the damp etc. They were given a heater and told to "air" the carpet (the carpet is this cheap underlay style thing). They also mentioned the mould all over the flat. They were told to just paint mould sealer over it and it'd be fine.

So my friend bought some and painted over it, but its coming back.

I'm afraid also that when they move out (September) they will loose deposit due to the different colour walls (mould sealer) and possibly damaged carpet.

I told them to ignore the request to paint over the mould and ask for someone to come and fix it (as its not liveable and very dangerous for a new born baby).

They havnt got written consent to "fix" the mould with the paint. Which i told them that's the least they should do, to cover their backs.

Does all this seem totally unfair of the management company ? (its a fairly well known local one)

Where would they stand about the deposit?

jaype

They should threaten the management company with calling the environmental health unless they tske steps to rectify the mould. put it in writing in case they have to go to court over the deposit - and invest in a dehumidifier to protect the childrens' health asap

jennilb

Hi

I would suggest going back to the mangement agency with a full list of all outstanding repairs. I would strongly suggest that your friend hand delivers the letter, keeping a copy and taking the name of the person who receives it.

Then just keep calling them (once a day every day) if they haven't made arrangements for repair after the first five days.

In my experience, one of the ways to get the agencies to respond to repairs is to make it too unpleasant for them not to! Calling them a lot has this effect, and you can do this while still being polite and friendly.

If you get no-where, then go to the environmental health with a copy of the letter and a record of all the phone calls you have made (days, times, names) and they should be in a much better position to help.

That's what I did in the past - but this is only my view, so feel free to ignore it!

Jenni

specs_3

On the subject of mould, your friend may find that the enviromental health officer will offer no support to the claim that it is a heath hazard.

Although unsightly, it is usually harmless.

scorpio_princess

specs wrote:

On the subject of mould, your friend may find that the enviromental health officer will offer no support to the claim that it is a heath hazard.

Although unsightly, it is usually harmless.

Really? I've read that mould spores are well known contributors to asthma and other allergies - which is especially dangerous for babies and young children as they have under-developed immune systems.

This is not acceptable - complain to the management company immediately. Even if your friend just gave environmental health a call, i'm sure they could give advice as to how dangerous/not dangerous mould is.

clutton_2

are they opening windows in the bathroom - many examples of mould are cured with ventilation.

illmonkey

Thanks for the reply s. I've said to them they need everything done in writing in case the company try to withhold deposit. I've also said they used a management company for a reason!

We hardly go there any more, as they don't like people over. But previously, sometimes 1 or 2 small windows are open.

I think they are just wanting to stay there till September without any hassle and just get out then. With a child to look after and a baby on the way, i can see why they don't want to have all the hassle.

But at the same time im concerned for them and the kid(s).

Ems*Honie

Mildew type mould is horrible stuff that can have quite a bad effect on health, producing asthma type symptoms (sP?) We have it and a dehumidifier has taken the worst of it out, but we still get bad chests and nasty colds. I have to bleach al the damp areas regulary to keep it under to control.

I would agree with m,ost of the posters, get everything in copy, and try taking photos too. Make themselves known to the agents, alot

I hope they get sorted before the little one arrives