Expecting too much re replacing mould on kitchen units

jemmiegal

Hi All, my landlord finally got round to getting the kitchen having the damp course done four months after I'd told them I couldn't use the units as they were rotting with mould.
The old units were taken out, put in the garden and the plastering done.
The gross thing is they're putting most of them back in and will be replacing a couple. All the units have disgusting mould on them. Yuck. I've been told they just need cleaning.
Would anybody else be grossed out by that? And, how do you go about really cleaning them?
Ta

Angelicdevil

Make up bleach and water and get scrubbing.

TDPIX

How much mould is there? Can you provide any pictures?

Davesnave

They probably do just need cleaning, as advised, but if the mould is in areas that may be painted that's what I'd do, afterwards.

One coat of primer stops mould bleeding through and is cheaper than stain block paint, then a coat of what you fancy.

Callie22

Dettol mould and mildew remover works really well - it's got added fungicides so it keeps the mould away for longer. However, I'd be a bit concerned if they're not solid wood units, because I think you'd struggle to get rid of the mould properly if it's got into chipboard.

GwylimT

If the mould and therefore damp had entered the actual cupboards and not just effected the surface then they wouldn't fit back, so I'm guessing the ones being re-used just need cleaning as otherwise it wouldn't be possible to refit them anyway.

moneyspendexpert

Is your LL going to remove fungicide and clean them ? if not then I would withhold some of the rent as this can cause health issues, especially where food is concerned.

I can bet, that if those cupboards had old food with growing mould on them when you vacate the property, you would get a huge cleaning bill deducted from your deposit.

Why can't a tenant enforce a deposit on a LL to cover for damage by situations like this. Mould/dampness can damage your health and ruin your clothing. I've lost a wardrobe of shirts/trousers caused by a damp problem in a rented property like this.

Davesnave

moneyspendexpert wrote: »

I would withhold some of the rent as this can cause health issues, especially where food is concerned.

You can do what you like, but on this forum we don't usually advise tenants to withhold rent.

Manchee

moneyspendexpert wrote: »

Is your LL going to remove fungicide and clean them ? if not then I would withhold some of the rent as this can cause health issues, especially where food is concerned.

I can bet, that if those cupboards had old food with growing mould on them when you vacate the property, you would get a huge cleaning bill deducted from your deposit.

Why can't a tenant enforce a deposit on a LL to cover for damage by situations like this. Mould/dampness can damage your health and ruin your clothing. I've lost a wardrobe of shirts/trousers caused by a damp problem in a rented property like this.

Because a certain amount of damp is to be expected and can be prevented by actions of the tenant (ie. opening windows/venting room when showering, not drying clothes indoors etc), forcing LLs to pay a deposit wouldn't solve this and would likely leave them open to abuse.

moneyspendexpert

Manchee wrote: »

Because a certain amount of damp is to be expected and can be prevented by actions of the tenant (ie. opening windows/venting room when showering, not drying clothes indoors etc), forcing LLs to pay a deposit wouldn't solve this and would likely leave them open to abuse.

Not if the property is poorly ventilated and there is an existing damp problem the tenant is unaware of. I agree with you about deposits be open to abuse though.

*Robin*

jemmiegal wrote: »

Hi All, my landlord finally got round to getting the kitchen having the damp course done four months after I'd told them I couldn't use the units as they were rotting with mould.
The old units were taken out, put in the garden and the plastering done.
The gross thing is they're putting most of them back in and will be replacing a couple. All the units have disgusting mould on them. Yuck. I've been told they just need cleaning.
Would anybody else be grossed out by that? And, how do you go about really cleaning them?
Ta

I guess you were hoping for a complete brand-new kitchen so feel a bit disappointed that's not happening?

That some units are being replaced does suggest they've all been inspected - if I were you, I'd be out in the garden scrubbing [with bleach] and painting the parts that won't be easily accessible once they've been re-fitted - then you won't have to worry about mould creeping into the cupboards from below. Not that it should, if the cause has been sorted out.

Thank you very much for giving me a little chuckle this morning, Jemmiegal:

jemmiegal wrote:

Expecting too much re replacing mould on kitchen units

I now know it's not what you meant, but expect many others will also have clicked on your thread, wondering why on Earth you'd want the mould putting back onto the kitchen units! :rotfl: