Just flippin' miserable

Fire_Fox

coinxoperated wrote: »

Ventilation (properly!) is impossible.

The only door I have is a front door and two very small windows in the living room and one in the bedroom.

But it's NOT just buying a damn humidifier is it!! It's the electricity costs of running the flipping' thing!! I've done some research and running it 24/7 would DOUBLE my electric bill!

I'm not posting again, it's like banging my head on a brick wall!!

What do you want from us? We ARE sympathetic, we ARE reading your posts and we ARE trying our hardest. I wish wholeheartedly I could tell you different but the ONLY thing that will work is getting rid of the water. There are several people whose knowledge I respect saying the same thing. At least two posters are singletons and have or are living on a low income (benefits for months) so we DO know how tough it can be. My flat has three windows that open and a front door that only opens only onto an enclosed corridor not outside, I have an indoor cat so can't just fling everything open to ventilate.

Yes it will not be cheap to run a dehumidifier initially, so cut back hard on electricity elsewhere to compensate. Hot water is VERY expensive to make if you have electric and not gas so that is where to economise. Also using less water means you will release less into the atmosphere so won't have such a damp flat. It's amazing how little water you can use to wash yourself, dishes and clothes if you get creative, it doesn't even all have to be hot. Don't turn your immersion on every day, boil a kettle on days you don't need loads of hot water. Once the dehumidifier starts extracting less water then you don't need to run it 24/7 just as and when, you might even be able to take a break until the winter if you open the windows daily and are careful with your water use.

Padstow

You've made me nervous coinxoperated re your latest post as I shall be looking to rent soon with my dog. No wonder there's so many poor dogs in shelters.
It did make me think of something else for you to spend £200 on though, advertise yoursellf as a live in domestic.
Make someone an evening meal, clean at weekends and no/little rent, clear your debts faster.
If that sounds far fetched, I had a quick look at domestics in the Lady Magazine and found something applicable straightaway, so there must be more. Second ad down if it links correctly headed "Professional Couple." Failing that advertise as a lodger, I'm sure there are many who would love the company of your dog during the day.
http://www.lady.co.uk/home/classifieds/25-jobs/26-domestic-uk/2953-live-in-housekeeper-required-staffordsh
Link didn't work so:
PROFESSIONAL COUPLE offer self-contained studio flat for one person in very desirable south west London location, rent free for absolutely reliable support including responsibility for main house during owners absence and home duties, office/garden help a plus. Suits professional or early retired person of independent means having strong communication skills, trustworthy, discreet, own car and animal lover

j.e.j.

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Once the dehumidifier starts extracting less water then you don't need to run it 24/7 just as and when, you might even be able to take a break until the winter if you open the windows daily and are careful with your water use.

Erm.. I take it you read the bit where OP says she lives right by the canal? :rotfl:

There is damp inside, damp outside, water running by within yards of the flat.. The de-hum is not going to start 'extracting less water' anytime soon.

I think it's a case of something needing to be done to the building, as padstow said, and work like that is down to the landlord.

It's interesting that other posters have said they'd not spend £200 on decorating. Well that £200 honestly wouldn't go far if you were running a dehumidifier every day, either.

I wish the OP luck with getting another place, anyway. Think we're all agreed that would be the ideal solution.

gingin_2

I run a dehumidifier in my basement. We had a hot, damp muggy period about 2-3 months ago and I bought it then.

It's this one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delonghi-148110002-DeLonghi-Compact-Dehumidifier/dp/B000BP81DW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345445347&sr=8-1

I also bought a hygrometer to go with it which was only a few quid and it gives an idea of the moisture in the air. Mine was running at about 82% humidity at it's worst and I could see damp patches on my newly laid wallpaper. I put it on for about 6 hours a day for the first week and the room fell within the normal range, the damp patches disappeared and hasn't crept up that high again. If it does start to creep up I put it on again but it's probably only used once a week at most, I switch it between 2 basement rooms. This one is small, compact and perfect and looks like it might sell on for a good price second hand.

I know you say it's not what you want to hear but it seems like the most sensible advice.

I apologise, I didn't read the canal part but would still consider the dehumidifier

Padstow

I daresay a dehumidifier would be available from free cycle as they are often used after plastering and then put away. It's the running of it that I fear for her.
When I boiled kettles, due to no hot water, my electric bill doubled.

The Debt Relief Order that OP is on requires a maximum disposable monthly income of £50. Until her year is up, she's broke.

I'd prefer to see her get out of there, firstly for her health but also to stop that LL getting her hard earned £350 pm.
If she could live rent free in exchange for light domestic duties she could throw that rent money toward her DRO and finish it sooner.

19lottie82

OP - have you tried posting "wanted" ads on gumtree and spareroom?