Rented property dealing with agents and mould

dimbo61

Why take out the kitchen sink ? Is the seal around the sink OK ? Do the waste pipes leak ? Any sign of water leak or outside guttering leaking, water getting into the building above the damp course if it has one !

cowsnhope

Honestly I do not know what is going on, the damp smell is strongest under the sink, and the back of the unit has a bit of wood / board which is soft as thought rotting. I do not think there will be a damp course as the flat is on the first floor - it is in a block and opens out onto a corridor which is outside - a sort of covered walkway/ balcony but the rain water does collect up against this wall where it meets the path.

sandsni

What did the Environmental health person say when your friend showed them the area around the sink where he thinks there's rotting wood? Did they give any indication they thought there was an ongoing problem? AFAIK they do have the authority to make the LL fix problems within a given timeframe if the problem is actually damp due to structural issues, leaks etc.. It's possible, though, that the mould and smell are residual from previous problems that have been dealt with.

Has your friend tried cleaning off the mould or washing out the cupboards?

I wouldn't advise removing anything without the LLs express written permission as your friend (and therefore you as the guarantor if he can't pay) would be responsible for the cost of any damage caused.

cowsnhope

Thank you
I wasn't at the visit from Environmental Health but my friend said they weren't interested in the area under the sink and only gave it a cursory look. I would not take out the sink and have told my friend not to as I'm aware that I'll get charged as my friend is on benefits and can't pay. I'm trying to figure out how I can find out what is going on behind the sink without doing this as at the moment there is not enough evidence to say there is a damp problem but there is still a very strong smell which fills the kitchen; my friend cleaned the cupboards etc with bleach the day he moved in - it did not helped. My friend says the smell makes him feel sick and that he can't cook in his kitchen or store food in there.