Damp in Rented Room

CatherineV

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can give me advice on where I stand with my landlord on this issue.

I have been renting a room in a shared house since the start of February. I have a tenancy agreement, meaning that (as far as I'm aware) I have the normal rights as a tenant as opposed to a lodger.

Before I moved in I asked him on the phone if there were any issues with mould or damp, as I have previously had health problems related to damp and was told that there was none in the house. Fast forward to now and I can see he was lying through his teeth.

In my room the external walls are damp to the touch and the wallpaper behind a wardrobe has bubbled up. I can also tell that behind the wardrobe has been repapered which suggests this is a long-term issue that he has tried to cover up. There is a small patch of damp growing in a corner, and all of my possessions feel damp to the touch. The kitchen cupboards on the external wall also smell of mould. I should also point out that the room has single glazing.

Before I was aware of this I was opening the window to air the room out daily as well as running a dehumidifier if I had to dry clothes in the room. I continue to do this but as we have had warm and humid weather recently the dehumidifier has been on daily. I have been taking reasonable action to ensure the room did not get damp.

I still have a couple of months on the contract but need to leave asap because of the mould. Is there a way I can do this whilst getting my deposit back as well as keeping it relatively amicable? Any advice would be appreciated.

I also have issues with a housemate using the property for illegal purposes (breach of tenancy agreement) that I can also bring into it if needed.

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

Sorry to hear you're not happy where you are

There are two options which might fall to your beneift
1) asking him to repair it
2) asking him for early release

The other housemate is an issue which is unlikley to be linked unless they are causing you harm or materially affecting your enjoyment of the property.

There are a number of bodies who can help you, such as the CAB or Shelter, but my feeling is that any action that you raise would take as long as the remaining tenancy and may cause you more grief.

19lottie82

Hi OP. I'm afraid you can't use the damp as an excuse to get our of your contract early, UNLESS the environmental health become involved and deem the property unsuitable for human habitation. If you think it is bad enough, give them a call.

If your LL can't / wont fix the problem, All you can really do equest he accepts an early surrender. If he does make sure you get it in WRITING.

If not do the best you can to minimise the damp by heating the room, running the dehumidifier, keeping the windows open whenever possible (easier now it's summer). Also, try wiping off the mould with a water / bleach solution regularly, as well as avoiding drying clothes, or leaving damp towels around, in the room.

Keep the issue with you flatmate separate. Blackmail is a rarely a good idea and if your flatmate gets evicted, do you really want that hanging over your head? Think carefully.