Should the landlord fix windows not fit for purpose?

NectarCollector

I rent a house privately through an estate agent, and since the winter has started we have noticed very cold drafts from all our windows. (wooden frames, suspect they are original windows from when the house was built in the 70s/80s).

We have used draught excluder strips and mastic to try and keep the worst of it out, but the real problem is the condensation on the windows which I suspect is caused by the amount of cold air being allowed in. (we keep our curtains shut nearly all day just to keep the front room a little bit warmer without turning the heating up too high.

I'm assuming that as part of fixtures and fittings, that the landlord should pay for replacement windows if a window fitter appointed by the estate agent finds fault?

Pixie5740

When air meets the cold glass of your windows, the air becomes unable to hold so much moisture, which condenses. The cures for condensation are heating (to keep surfaces above dew point temperature) and ventilation (to expel the warm, moisture-laden air to the outside). So do you ever open the windows?

HappyMJ

NectarCollector wrote: »

I rent a house privately through an estate agent, and since the winter has started we have noticed very cold drafts from all our windows. (wooden frames, suspect they are original windows from when the house was built in the 70s/80s).

We have used draught excluder strips and mastic to try and keep the worst of it out, but the real problem is the condensation on the windows which I suspect is caused by the amount of cold air being allowed in. (we keep our curtains shut nearly all day just to keep the front room a little bit warmer without turning the heating up too high.

I'm assuming that as part of fixtures and fittings, that the landlord should pay for replacement windows if a window fitter appointed by the estate agent finds fault?

You need to ventilate the property. Which means opening the curtains and allowing air to flow to evaporate any condensation that occurs.

You can't insist the landlord installs UPVC double glazing. Preservation orders may in place requiring the properties in your area to have wooden sash windows. As long as the window isn't broken, the frame isn't rotten then there's really nothing wrong with the windows apart from being inefficient at keeping heat in but they do work as windows.

NectarCollector

Pixie5740 wrote: »

When air meets the cold glass of your windows, the air becomes unable to hold so much moisture, which condenses.

The glass is cold because of the draughts and the fact that the windows built in seals have deteriorated over the years

Pixie5740 wrote: »

The cures for condensation are heating (to keep surfaces above dew point temperature)

heating is on all the time with thermostat set to 20C

Pixie5740 wrote: »

and ventilation (to expel the warm, moisture-laden air to the outside). So do you ever open the windows?

Not in the winter when its cold outside

stockton_2

I used to cut sheets of polythene from a roll and pin it over the windows to trap the air. It was quite effective. You can get the stuff from places like B & Q.

With regards to the LL's responsibility it is obviously a cost they may want to avoid forking out on.

I have heard that our own local council is getting private landlords to replace old type windows with new PVC'. A council officer inspects and then makes out an order for the LL to carry out the work by a specific date.

martinsurrey

NectarCollector wrote: »

I'm assuming that as part of fixtures and fittings, that the landlord should pay for replacement windows if a window fitter appointed by the estate agent finds fault?

does the window keep burglars out and let light in?

If so, its working as intended, and the landlord doesn't need to do anything.

Keeping the curtains closed and the heating down low is your idea, and if that causes damage the landlord could actually claim that from your deposit.

The solution is to move to a new build.

martinsurrey

NectarCollector wrote: »

Not in the winter when its cold outside

there is your problem.

just by breathing you expel over 1500mL of water per day, where is it going to go if you don't ventilate?

giddypenguin

martinsurrey wrote: »

there is your problem.

just by breathing you expel over 1500mL of water per day, where is it going to go if you don't ventilate?

No you don't: https://www.quora.com/How-much-water-does-a-person-lose-in-a-day-through-breathing more like 400ml

HappyMJ

NectarCollector wrote: »

Not in the winter when its cold outside

What do you mean not in the winter?

So you have never opened the windows to let fresh air into the property and let the old stale and stuffy air out of the property.

Pull the curtains back throw the windows open and let the fresh air come in.

I live in a new build which is totally sealed. I can feel the air becoming stuffy and have to open the windows every day for just 10 minutes to let fresh air in. If you're feeling cold in those 10 minutes then do something. Don't just sit on the sofa and shiver. Move around and do some housework. When you're done close the windows put the heating on and sit down.

HappyMJ

martinsurrey wrote: »

there is your problem.

just by breathing you expel over 1500mL of water per day, where is it going to go if you don't ventilate?

giddypenguin wrote: »

No you don't: https://www.quora.com/How-much-water-does-a-person-lose-in-a-day-through-breathing more like 400ml

Slightly different sources of information and may have been misinterpreted. Both are correct. A person does breathe out 1,500ml of water vapour per day but only loses 400ml of water per day as you also breathe in air that contains water vapour too. You breathe out air at a higher humidity than the air you breathe in. the difference being around 400ml per person.

FBaby

Surely you saw that the windows were not brand new when you moved in. Surely the rent reflects the fact that the house is not brand new otherwise, you wouldn't have decided to move in. So why do you think that the landlord should carry out £1,000s of repairs just because you can't be bothered to ventilate the property properly?

Or maybe they can go ahead with your request, but then up the rent accordingly, would that be ok with you?