tenant in my flat - condensation issues

michele-p

Hi all, I have just seen all the replies.

First off, I lived in the flat with no damp issues. The previous tenant left with the window frames being black, and vents closed, but no damp problem.so we instructed new tenant on ventilation with the contract.

We have given £100 towards a dehumidifier, but looking now we should have bought ourselves and supplied on, but never mind.

The flat has storage heater, not ideal I know but there is no gas for proper heating. Tenant told us she was just heating one room to try and keep one room clear, but on reading up its the worst thing to do. We have sent her info sheets about condensation and what to do.

I don't know legally what more we should do, but I do feel we took it seriously, had it checked and offered advice. Hopefully it should nit be too much an issue over the warmer months, the tenancy ends in september, so it's up to her if she wants to stay.

I really don't think w should contribute to more flooring as we refitted the whole flat when she moved in.

Sorry to ramble, and thanks for opinion so far.

Blackpool_Saver

The problem is that people who live in pokey little flats are usually people who cannot afford to put heating on let alone put it on and open windows. Also they are usually unable to gain access to outside clothes drying facilities. Doesn't take a genius to figure it out really........

rentergirl

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Ignore rentergirl as she always refuses as a matter of principle to accept that Ts can cause condensation problems in a property.

Of course the place can get humid if the T doesn't open windows and has a lifestyle which doesn't minimise condensation / maximise ventilation through the trickle vents - hardly "keeping the windows open" and I note that the flat does indeed have heating.

I agre with Werndal and anselld.

I am afraid that most Environmental Health Officers agree. Condesnation occurs where landlords have inadequate venting, no or poor heating (as here) and then expect tenants to keep the windows open in winter. During the day. When the tenant is at work, even. Making sure condensation can be prevented is in the landlords best interest.

BitterAndTwisted

Condensation occurs when there is inadequate ventilation and making sure it doesn't occur is the tenant's responsibility. And it is not necessary to keep windows open 24/7, just to ensure adequate air-exchanges. Electric heaters do not have to be a poor form of heating. They are more expensive than a gas central-heating system but if there are enough of them they would be perfectly adequate, And if they are not, electric fan-heaters can be bought by any idiot with a tenner in their pockets.

anselld

rentergirl wrote: »

I am afraid that most Environmental Health Officers agree. Condesnation occurs where landlords have inadequate venting, no or poor heating (as here) and then expect tenants to keep the windows open in winter. During the day. When the tenant is at work, even. Making sure condensation can be prevented is in the landlords best interest.

The fact that is true in SOME cases doesnt make it true in EVERY case. It is your sweeping generalisations which are so ridiculous.

In this case
suitable ventilation is provided (trickle vents)
storage heaters provide perfectly adequate and efficient heating
there are no building defects
advice has been provided, but ignored.

Insulation has not been discussed but is unlikely to be a huge factor in a small flat.

So in this case I am sure an EHO would point to T lifestyle. Perhaps OP would like to invite an inspection and find out for sure.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

michele-p, is your tenant maybe using a superser for heating, instead of the electric, that can cause a lot of condensation?

C_Mababejive

Why would a property suffer condensation in the first place unless the occupants led some kind of extreme lifestyle (not further described). No this is a building construction issue.

Either way...if it doesnt suit the tenant,then it would be best if she moved.

michele-p

Hi all, well I seem to have opened a can of worms ere. I was very amused to have my lovely 1 bed flat a slum and pokey, it's anything but, and I loved it when I lived there.

It seems that it's a split opinion. There are no insulation issues, that was mentioned in the inspection we paid for. The flat s only around 10 years old, so not single skin walls or anything.

Reading it all I think I've done all I need to do, and te the tenants choice if she tries to follow advice or wants to leave in September.

The comment about the tenant not having enough money to heat my hovel amused me too. If she didn't have enough money then she should have rented somewhere cheaper, there are 2 of them, we all have to heat our homes!

Thanks all so far

m0bov

Don't feed the troll!!!

Captainmouse

Bit confused here, I am a tenant, moved in sept, house is double glazed, well insulated with central heating, I have a cat so leave the small top window open in the back hall during the day. There are hooks on the back of the back door which I have hung my coats on. I was shocked today to find condensation and mould on the door beneath the coats, this cannot be due to lack of ventilation as the window is open a minimum of 12 hours a day:huh::huh::huh: