Large damp patch on outside wall

Aquatronixjenny

Hi everyone
We live in a rented property and I have recently noticed a patch of the brickwork on the outside North facing wall that is always wet to touch. It has recently started to become green so I clean it with mould killer regularly.

I've been up in the attic to check all pipes and to check the roof, the gutters are always kept clean and aren't leaking. This damp patch starts about a foot off the ground and ends at about 6 feet, and is about 3 feet wide. The only thing I can think that may be causing it is that there is a fitted cupboard on the other side of the wall. I know that fitting a cupboard to an external wall isn't advised as none of the heat from the house actually gets to the wall to dry it out.

I'm really after some advise as to what it is and what could be causing it? We have a property inspection this week so will point it out to our Letting Agents and also follow up in writing, but I don't want them to try to pin the blame on me for what could be a structural problem. We have no damp issues inside at all.

Thanks

macman

Is it a cavity wall?

Aquatronixjenny

I'm not sure, I think it is.

macman

Well what year was the house built?

iamcornholio

An external wall with localised dampness is normally due to either dripping soffits, gutters, pipework or windows cills in that location

Defective pointing may also be a cause but that would be quite evident to see

In any case, a tenant is not responsible for the external structure

Aquatronixjenny

Its a bungalow, I believe it was built in the late 1930's. The soffits always seem to be wet, there are no windowsills in the area. All I can do I guess is point it out at the inspection and also give the landlord a call. She's very good and gets jobs done but she's had to spend a lot of money on the place this year and I was dreading letting her know! I was just wondering if there was anything I could do but it does sound structural, as I said - the gutters are clear and not leaking.

iamcornholio

If the soffits are wet, then there may be a problem in that area with rotten roof felt which is allowing rain water into the eaves rather than directing it into the gutter