Issue with our landlord

Markb06

Firstly just a bit of a back ground.

Me, my partner, my partners daughter and my son (Who stops every other weekend) moved into this property in July 2013. We have paid fully and on time every month and we have made small improvements to the house.

About 6-7 months ago we noticed in our cupboard in the bedroom there was some damp coming through. We had rang and texted the landlord to get this fixed and eventually he did. Then about a month the damp started to come through.

Again we rang and we got told to buy a heater to keep it warm in the cupboard and he would contact the company who fixed it before. We heard nothing for two weeks so I called again. This time he came to visit the property and had a look and again said he would contact the company.

I had to call again on Saturday to find out what was going on. He told me that the company did not get back to him and he would get something sorted this week.

But the mould is getting worse. We have had to empty the cupboard and we cant use it.

Also our tenancy was up in Feb and we have not had a new one yet.

Is there any advice anyone can give regarding the mould and the tenancy?

Many thanks

[Deleted User]

if he won't fix the problem causing the damp (rather than painting over the damp).., and it matters to you (not surprisingly) might be time to look for other properties.

Paint the words 'Damp cupboard' in the area if you do move out.

Markb06

We actually like the house and my partners daughter is settled in. We are looking at ways to get it sorted more then moving out (Last resort)

dgtazzman

Sounds to me like the landlord is actually trying to solve the issue, which is more than most would do. Just keep on at him, but not to such an extent that the situation will heat up.

You not getting a new tenancy is not an issue, you just automatically switch to a rolling tenancy under the same terms as the original contract. Should you want to leave, you have to give at minimum one period notice (mostly one month) and if the landlord wants you to leave, they have to give at last 2 periods notice.

G_M

Stop ringing and write a proper letter, to the proper address.

Also try to find out what is causing the damp, and what 'fixes' he is arranging. As dean says, if he's just painting over (even with special 'damp proof' paint, nothing will change.

See also:

Shelter (Repairs in private rented homes)

as for the tenancy, read:

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

[Deleted User]

The reason I said this, is its what my LL has done about damp rising up the front of the house. They didn't fix the cause of it, just painted damp proof paint over it a few years ago. Its now quite apparent mould is growing etc., they asked me to paint over it (expecting me to get the expensive damp proof paint too lol) when I pointed out again how bad it is getting when they told me they were selling the place. They showed no appreciation that this was inappropriate at all. Needless to say, when I do paint this room, I shall paint everything except this corner. Not assisting with fooling potential buyers.

I'm not saying every LL does this, but from what you say, I suspect that whatever is causing the damp hasn't been fixed. Its just been painted over as if that is a 'fix'. Write reporting the problem, as has already been said.

Whatever you do, don't put a heater in the cupboard (I hope you have written proof of this instruction) as it sounds like a fire risk to me. Cupboards should not have to be heated lol.

Markb06

I have been reading a site where if we write to the landlord and he still does nothing we can then move forward by getting 3 estimates and sending them.

If he still doesn't repair it then we can use the rent to pay for the cheapest ones.

http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2011/01/03/tenants-legal-help-doing-the-repair-work-yourself/

Is there any truth in this?

Pixie5740

Yes there's truth in it. See Shelter's website.

However, since you now have a periodic tenancy you could well find yourself landed with a Section 21.

Markb06

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Yes there's truth in it. See Shelter's website.

However, since you now have a periodic tenancy you could well find yourself landed with a Section 21.

He has just renewed it for another 6 months however 2 months late. He started it from January when it should of been done.

Pixie5740

Markb06 wrote: »

He has just renewed it for another 6 months however 2 months late. He started it from January when it should of been done.

And you signed that? From January until now you would have had a Statutory Periodic Tenancy. Then from now you would have had a new 6 months fixed term. You've just diddled yourself.

Markb06

Pixie5740 wrote: »

And you signed that? From January until now you would have had a Statutory Periodic Tenancy. Then from now you would have had a new 6 months fixed term. You've just diddled yourself.

Well I was unsure.

But its done now so moving forward we have two options

1. Move out in July
2. Stay.

So the options are the same for us.