Damp Cold Bedroom - What Can I do?

[Deleted User]

I am living in emergency accommodation - 2 bedroom local authority maisonette. Obviously I am very aware that we were lucky to get this and its heaps better than being on the streets.

We do have a problem with temperature in the place. In the summer, the front which faces the sun was 30plus degrees and yet in spite of open windows, the back was cooler, and developed mould (yes in the summer). I have a dehumidifier, doesn't help with the mould, and now in the back bedroom its very cold (3 duvets and blankets on the bed). I have had central heating on almost constantly.., but the radiator in the main bedroom (5x2.5 m) hardly takes the chill off the air.

The council have said, without even coming round, in spite of me pointing out the two external walls in the room are very very cold compared to other walls in the maisonette, that its my fault there is mould in the bedroom. I point out again, this mould appeared in the summer. Windows were always open except for the last two weeks.

I do have a condenser dryer but its in the kitchen (with windows open), is a very efficient heat pump condenser dryer and there is no mould anywhere else in the house.

So the council won't do anything. OK. Can I do anything to the walls to make them less cold or insulate them. Not sure that foam wallpaper stuff will do any good? What are your ideas? Would an air conditioner help (with both the damp and lack of heat problems?) Its expensive but I'm sick of being cold.

PS I never dry clothes on radiators. I have quite bad asthma that is just getting worse and worse. I believe the mould isn't helping and the variation in temperatures (too hot at the front in the summer, very cold in the winter in the back) is due to a lack of insulation in the walls generally and the central heating system. Council won't help so I have to find a way to improve things. So looking at what I can do to improve insulation of the walls without spending an absolute fortune (its temporary accommodation).

kinger101

I'm sorry to hear the council have not been sympathetic. It sounds like the walls lack any form on insulation. Could the mould also be caused by defective or blocked rainwater goods? Water steaming down the external wall would cause evaporative heat loss as well as potential damp problems.

I think you should write to your MP emphasizing the health problems and the council's lack of empathy/action. Don't know it will do any good, but it's worth a try.

theartfullodger

You can challenge the place on the grounds that it is unsuitable.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/social_housing/about_council_housing/rights_in_temporary_council_accommodation

Unsuitable temporary accommodation

If the accommodation the council provides is unsuitable for your household, ask the council to look into your situation again to check that it has assessed your needs properly.


You can ask the council to do this even if you have already accepted the accommodation and moved in. This is usually a better option than refusing the offer, because the council may not make you another offer. etc etc etc.....

Presumably you've already done so, formally, on paper? Problem with temp accom is the council is (presumably?) still "assessing your application" and you (presumably..) want council housing officer help to find a better, permanent, home: And such an appeal (which you are legally entitled to make..) may p*ss them off: (Apologies, I'm speaking reality here, not what is fair or reasonable).

Any chance of finding a private let?

Best wishes, hope things improve..

[Deleted User]

No chance of a private let, unfortunately. We are officially homeless, but could be here 6 months or years (probably years, far more people going on the list than finding places and coming off - properties do go to people on C priority but at the moment its only A and B priority making successful bids, and we are C in spite of our health needs - seemingly there's nothing I can do about that either). The council can allocate priorities any way they like, as long as not openly discriminating.

I know the way social housing works has shortened my life. And my arthritis is making getting up two flights of stairs very painful (but GP won't refer me to a consultant because I am too young for hip/knee replacements and without medical proof I can't get council to move me to place with kitchen not two floors away from lounge), (then there's the breathing problems I experience) but nothing I can do. Its taken 15 months to get my ASD close to being diagnosed (one more step to take and things at the Royal Maudsley have come to an almighty stop since November yet again - I've been show the damn report they have written ha ha but its doing me no good stuck on their system - in spite of numerous phone calls begging them to get moving). The system of care has completely broken so I've got to do what I can.

I don't think there is anything I can do to get the council to take notice of the problems with the maisonette. Saying its the fault of the tenant, and ignoring fact they are doing all the right things, is standard procedure. All i can do is what I can afford to increase the insulation on the outside walls.

NeilCr

What about your local councillor?

They can be quite effective

Norman_Castle

If you've got a normal spring mattress these can be very cold. Try a mattress topper or lying on the blankets. Try freecycle for a memory foam mattress topper. If you've got a yoga or camping mat try that between you and the mattress.

Air the room every day to help it dry out. Treat the mould on the walls. I recently used Wilco mould treatment on emulsion painted walls which worked although it stinks of peroxide the smell doesn't last.
Try sleeping with the bedroom door open. In very cold weather I get substantial condensation on the bedroom window with the door closed but much less with it open.

http://www.wilko.com/bathroom-cleaning-products/wilko-mould-and-mildew-remover-750ml/invt/0333217
I spray it on to a washing up sponge rather than directly onto the wall.

Elfbert

I'm sure you've already checked this - but are you sure the radiator is operating correctly? It doesn't need bleeding?

Could try something like this:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/radiator-reflector-foil-470mm-x-4m-1-88m-/88629?kpid=88629&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CJOT7Nrxv9ECFVNuGwodvIgLAQ

as well, if you think it might help?

Jackieboy

I don't mean to go all Four Yorkshiremen but many of us grew up in homes with no central heating nor any heating whatsoever in the bedrooms. That didn't particularly lead to mould on the walls so I don't think that's necessarily the problem.

My bedroom had 2 outside walls, an unheated bathroom and an unheated hall on the other sides and and the downstairs neighbour's unheated spare room underneath - pretty cold but definitely no mould.

Just wanted to express an alternate point of view.

kinger101

Jackieboy wrote: »

I don't mean to go all Four Yorkshiremen but many of us grew up in homes with no central heating nor any heating whatsoever in the bedrooms. That didn't particularly lead to mould on the walls so I don't think that's necessarily the problem.

My bedroom had 2 outside walls, an unheated bathroom and an unheated hall on the other sides and and the downstairs neighbour's unheated spare room underneath - pretty cold but definitely no mould.

Just wanted to express an alternate point of view.

An alternative pointless view.

KxMx

When you say The Council do you mean the housing department?

If so, try Environmental Health.

Jackieboy

kinger101 wrote: »

An alternative pointless view.

I disagree - if people are trying to solve the problem by the wrong means, it isn't going to be effective.

(But thank you for your comment anyway.):D