Damp Course on Leasehold Property

victor16_2

Have problem with the damp course in my (g/f) floor flat. Local legend has it that the build was sabotaged by a miffed builder over money. It is an ex-local authority property and the council still owns the lease.

I have complained to them about it many times but they say it is condensation caused by me - it isn't!

Want to sell this property in the not too distant future is it best to go full steam ahead after the council for remediation or say nothing, put up with it and don't mention it when I'm trying to sell?

Should this have been picked up on a survey?

Bearing in mind any course of action that will cost me money isn't an option!!

Also, worst part of damp is cupboard under stairs that lead to upstairs flat. Have got rid of evidence of damp visually with special paint but can't get rid of the niff - any (cheapy) suggestions?

olly300

If your council is acting like that then the onus is on you to prove that it is damp not condensation. lease-advice.org will give you more specific information. ( [FONT=Verdana, arial, Helvetica]020 7374 5380 9.30- 3.30pm Monday-Friday)[/FONT]

What sort of survey did you have?

If you had a homebuyers report the surveyor will only look at places they can get access to. So if the cupboard/floor was hidden or blocked by anything then the surveyor wouldn't have had a look. This will be clearly stated somewhere on the report.

If you had a valuation nothing would have been looked at.

If you had a full structural survey then the surveyor would have covered them selves with a clause stating there is a possibility of damp due to the building's age/location.

cattie

Have you actually called in a specialist to have a look at the damp to acertain that it is the damp proof course?
Do residents of neighbouring ground floor flats have a similar problem?

You say you got rid of visible signs of damp, can you say what the signs were as this may help others more knowledgeable to identify if it could possibly be caused by condensation or not. Is the cupboard against an outside wall?

I have to say that a relative of mine used to joke that no matter what damp problems a council home suffered, they would always blame it on condensation. :rotfl: :rotfl:

ixwood

Are the walls damp at the bottom, and is any visible on the outside walls?

victor16_2

Symptoms are thick black mould with white fluffy stuff on!!!

It is an external wall but also the interior wall betwent he cupboard and the bedroom- am thinking not healthy for me to be sleeping in a mouldy damp room!!!

Even the flat upstairs has it in exactly the same spot.

Also, is not old building is purpose built and only 40 years old - big rooms, wide doorways, double glazing complete with vents...