Best to let leak dry itself, or use heater?

Mr.Generous

the trouble with water leaks is they can be under the floor. flat with a leak has no symptoms and n damage so just does nothing. It could be a waste pipe or a supply pipe, and sometimes more than 1 leak. ceiling down and fix the plumbing, may as well do it from below now anyway. has your landlord heard of consequential loss?

dekaspace

It was the toilet. Leak is now stopped as fire brigade had to beak into flat. So many spores on ceiling thst they confirmed have been growing a very long time. Not surd what to do now, neighbours say get emergency accomodation.

dekaspace

So my landlord has been useless, phoned them this morning to say the fire brigade have confirmed theres black mould, leak has now stopped and property is dangerous to live in (as water was over electrics and lights hanging down) and I have been coughing all morning and dizzy (likely from the mould)

LL's response "oh I will get in contact with the owner of the upstairs property" and when I ask about cleaning up and fixing the damage just got told it will be done when its done.

What do I do now? contacted enviromental health who said they will try and force a visit quickly but may not be to end of week but its likely from the sound of it when they do if its not sorted they will close access to my property and landlord has to temporarily rehome me at their expense.

anselld

EHO may issue an improvement notice and they may or may not declare the property uninhabitable. Unfortunately if they do declare it uninhabitable the Landlord is not legally obliged to rehouse you.

You could, of course get a mask, pair of gloves and some rubble bags from B&Q and clean up the mess. Depends how pro-active you want to be; I doubt EHO would declare uninhabitable simply for a hole in the ceiling if the leak has stopped and the rubbish is cleared.

dekaspace

Well a few different peoplee at council, and also at Shelter told me the landlord is responsibile if its uninhabitable though maybe thats as I am in Scotland.

I cleared the rubbish earlier, took a hour but kept it all and put it on balcony for evidence (as well as taking loads of pictures.

The only worry now is I can't have a shower as its right next to a hanging down light socket so if it sprays and/or I grab it I will electrocute myself.

What the council told me is no matter what EH say, if I fill in a council house form straight away, when EH inspect and report back it will push me up the list high for permanent council accomodation.

dekaspace

Since I opened new thread people said better to just bump this one.

Not sure what to do now, my ceiling still has massive hole, walls are drier than before and I had to clean and tidy myself as my landlord didn't bother to send anyone round and enviromental health themselves are unclear.

EH said they saw a a crack on toilet but I didn't notice, my LL is saying the owner of flat above is fixing my ceiling and promised a call by today to arrange, contacted again today to be told legally they have "up to 28 days" to fix, that doesn't sound right.

Meanwhile I have a ceiling with large holes in and black mould everywhere in it.

Shelter said I could ask LL for rent reduction till its done or even to move, EH said its better that I move (but not that its a necessity) but only if I wanted to.

LL originally told me they would move me then changed their mind but told EH that they were still willing to move me, then told me again no.

nkkingston

Pretty certain that under the circumstances, especially with EH's comments, you can move into temporary accommodation and bill the landlord for it (who would then claim it off his landlord's insurance). Financially, that may not be viable for you, but it's a very handy thing to point out to the landlord to see if it prods his !!!! into gear in fear of you staying in the honeymoon suite at the local Ritz at his expense. Maybe give Shelter a ring to get their take on it?

dekaspace

EH have been unclear on what will happen, the main person deailing with it said they spoke to LL who says they will repair within 28 days and I have "agreed" to this,

No I have not, I said to the landlord I am not happy and wanted to move and just come back for cooking/washing machine and only agreed to give the owner of the upstairs property my phone number so I can be told when repair is being done so I can be around (don't trust them but didn't say that)

EH said I had to agree with LL about being moved/put into hotel not that I could and bill the LL

I actually wouldn't mind for example staying in a hostel (private room) meaning I could cook for myself and its 10 minutes walk to college and just come back to house for washing clothes also means I wont have to pay electricity at a 2nd home.