Damp

penthouse89

Hi All,

I've been looking at renting a new flat, although the one I have is lovely and fitted out to a high standard, it's too big, too expensive to heat, and too far away from town.

I've viewed a lot of flats in an area near to where I work, nice little seaside town, they're all about the same stamp, tyneside flats. I've been to view one this evening with an agent, which was quite obviously suffering from damp in the bedrooms, (around the bay window in the master, and where a fire place had been in B2), also penetrating damp in the kitchen and what appears to be condensation damage in the bathroom.

The agent informed me of this before she opened the door, and remedial works are planned in the next week or so. Extractor, repointing and replastering.

Other than the damp, it is by FAR my favorite so far, and I don't think I'll do much better, quiet road with ample parking on the right side of town, close to the beach and a very pretty terrace of houses. Lots of original features too. I'm looking to let long term (for the next few years, at least) and this could be the place for me.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-38304703.html

I've told the agent to update me and I'd like to look again once the damp issues are resolved. My question to the forums is, can you really successfully get rid of damp?

I don't want to move in and have this come back again soon after.

Any advice appreciated.

Regards

Fire_Fox

You can get rid of damp, but it really depends what the problem is and what is done. Who is sorting out the penetrating damp/ leaks, the freeholder?

penthouse89

The LL - Tyneside flats have a unique freehold setup. The ground floor owns the freehold to the first floor and vice versa.

The agent assures me the damp issues will be resolved - but agents are agents. I want the flat, but not if they don't fix it, I have told her that.

sandsni

If they find the source of the water getting in from outside (assuming it is damp and not condensation) it is possible to prevent recurrence. But a lot depends on the age and structure of the outer walls and floor. If it's due to a burst pipe, faulty guttering or roof disrepair then the solution is fairly straightforward, but if it's an issue with the materials and structure of the walls then it would be more difficult to sort out. But since you're looking to rent and not buy, these will be the LLs problem to sort out and not yours!

Make sure the repairs are carried out BEFORE you sign anything. It's easy for agents (and LLs) to make promises before you move in, but once you're in the issues of access etc., or simply lazy agents and LLs can make it more difficult to get work carried out.

coinxoperated

I live in a flat that the landlord was going to sort the damp out in.

4 hospital stays for dreadful chest infections and constant repainting to cover the mouldy bits, never mind the constant heating and airing out makes it not worth it.

I would personally, after my experience, walk away. It's cheap for a reason.

penthouse89

It's not cheap, that's the going rate for a two bed Tyneside flat in South Shields.

I've told the agent to call me when the work is done and I'll take another look at it, and if all is in order, I'll take it, it's so far the best flat I've seen.

The worst of the damp is in the second bedroom - where there's previously been a fireplace, but now just a vent. There's also a patch under the front bay window, and what looks like condensation in the bathroom - the window doesn't open and there's no extractor.

She mentioned penetrating damp in the kitchen, which did look like it needed repointing, which was on the schedule of works to be completed.

At this point in time I haven't signed anything, and nor will I until the damp is gone. I was just wondering if it could be totally cured, or if I'd be looking at the issue again.

BitterAndTwisted

Your problem will be that although the landlord may have taken every step possible to eradicate the damp and the cause/s the success or otherwise of said steps will only become apparent some time afterwards. I wouldn't fancy becoming that particular guinea-pig.

Find somewhere else.

penthouse89

Thanks, I think I might. I really don't want to move house again after this for at least a couple of years. So the place I move to needs to be right.

Fire_Fox

penthouse89 wrote: »

It's not cheap, that's the going rate for a two bed Tyneside flat in South Shields.

I've told the agent to call me when the work is done and I'll take another look at it, and if all is in order, I'll take it, it's so far the best flat I've seen.

The worst of the damp is in the second bedroom - where there's previously been a fireplace, but now just a vent. There's also a patch under the front bay window, and what looks like condensation in the bathroom - the window doesn't open and there's no extractor.

She mentioned penetrating damp in the kitchen, which did look like it needed repointing, which was on the schedule of works to be completed.

At this point in time I haven't signed anything, and nor will I until the damp is gone. I was just wondering if it could be totally cured, or if I'd be looking at the issue again.

Damp on a chimney breast likely won't be resolved by replastering or an extractor, either the chimney needs capping properly, or the carp inside needs cleaning out or both. It can all be sorted, if it's been properly investigated and properly addressed, no short cuts taken. On the plus side it has the summer to dry out, you will be able to get good air flow. On the down side you won't know for sure for a while if it's been resolved.

Check where the extractor gets vented to, some flats they do it into the ceiling void instead of to the outside to save money! We have that here, totally pointless exercise.

penthouse89

The extractor is for the bathroom - it would go straight out to the yard, I would think.

The chimney has gone - it's the old "back" chimney, from the time when all the bedrooms would have had fireplaces. Not the main one you see in the photograph on RM.