no ventilation and mould growth in rented property

Humphrey10

moneyspendexpert wrote: »

If I was living in the pre-extractor fan era, then I probably wouldn't be conversing on this forum. But I'm not, extractor fans are invented now and I'm sat here in (slightly mouldy) shoes in a property without any.

I don't have a kitchen extractor far or bathroom fan in my current rented place, and don't have a problem with mould. The windows are all locked slightly open and the tickle vents are always open too. I open the bathroom window fully when showering. If I had them all closed I might get mould, which would be my fault for not ventilating the property not the landlord's fault.

DaftyDuck

HappyMJ wrote: »

Would you use them? I hate the noise they make and never use them.

I have to say I don't like them much myself, and prefer a window open. Kitchen has one over the cooker, and I do use that but I prefer windows open for the bathrooms.

moneyspendexpert

DaftyDuck wrote: »

I still feel that, if your belongings are getting ruined, heaving off to another well-aired flat (or pond, if you are amphibian )

I guess I should hold the last month's rent then and heave off to another pond. The LL can try and sue an amphibian

but seriously, I expect a LL to be as concerned about their tenants as they are about having the rent paid.

Errata

I return to the property after a few days away to find all of my clothing, bedding and furniture is covered in horrible smelly damp mould.

If all your clothing, bedding and furniture is covered in mould after a few days why on earth didn't you call in environmental health?

moneyspendexpert

Errata wrote: »

If all your clothing, bedding and furniture is covered in mould after a few days why on earth didn't you call in environmental health?

I had contacted the LL and waited for a surveyor report first. The surveyor did open his eyes more than the LL did to the mould and accompaning smell.

But, like I said, I informed the LL months ago and it didn't seem that important so I thought I would leave it until it did become important.

DaftyDuck

I'm really not sure you should try to withhold the last month's rent.... why should you? The deposit is not there to pay the last month's rent... it's for damages to the property, and it sounds like there are some issues...

If you judged "it didn't seem that important" and left it, why should the LL consider it important and have done something earlier?

Devil's "Apricot" or not, personally I feel the damp issue has more to do with you/your lifestyle choices than to do with the property. The LL appears to have done all that he can (surveyor, major works intended), and there seems to be absolutely no warrant to withhold rent. Pay it to the end, expect deductions from the deposit, move on to a very well-ventilated flat, and keep a close eye on mould from the outset.

moneyspendexpert

DaftyDuck wrote: »

If you judged "it didn't seem that important" and left it, why should the LL consider it important and have done something earlier?

I did mean "it didn't seem that important" to the LL, as nothing was done then, when I first raised the damp problem.

The deposit is also not there to repair what was already in disrepair or for betterment either.

I have no intention of withholding rent, that is only an option and usually when rent isn't paid on time, LL's are quick to sort things out.

I'm a tenant with no rights over a deposit to claim from the LL for damages. If the property had vents and an extractor, there would not be a damp problem. Opening a window would not have prevented the mould growth.

moneyspendexpert

HappyMJ wrote: »

Leaking is a good thing...that means some air is moving. My windows also have seals too but I really don't care if they work or not as every window is open...just a bit. It's a balance though too much air flow in the wrong place and ventilation turns into an unwanted draught...but at least the property will be well ventilated.

so you are saying, that when you go on holiday you leave your draughty leaky windows open (just a bit) and come back home to a mould free but empty house.

you are also saying, that a leaking window with water dripping down onto the carpet is a good thing as air is moving as apposed to being still.

Humphrey10

moneyspendexpert wrote: »

so you are saying, that when you go on holiday you leave your draughty leaky windows open (just a bit) and come back home to a mould free but empty house.

Yep. They lock in that position.

moneyspendexpert wrote: »

you are also saying, that a leaking window with water dripping down onto the carpet is a good thing as air is moving as apposed to being still.

Unless it's raining, there won't be water coming from outside, it will be coming from inside, so yes it is better that the window isn't sealed.

I think they need to run "baby's basic tips for living in a house" lessons at school - I really don't know how people reach adulthood without knowing how to ventilate a house. When at university, I was astounded by the number of students that didn't open bathroom windows when they had a shower (or closed the windows the second the water stopped) and then whined about the landlord renting out a mouldy house!

HappyMJ

moneyspendexpert wrote: »

so you are saying, that when you go on holiday you leave your draughty leaky windows open (just a bit) and come back home to a mould free but empty house.

you are also saying, that a leaking window with water dripping down onto the carpet is a good thing as air is moving as apposed to being still.

Yes they are always open...even in winter...I can't stand a stuffy house..yes I lose heat through these well insulated double glazed windows having hem open but the air is fresh. Even if it rains the water does not come inside. If a little rain water did get inside in really heavy rain then it sits on the window sill and eventually drys up. Gets a little dirty occasionally on the window sill but a quick wipe over with bleach sorts that.