Damp smell in house

sephseph

Hi there!

I'm looking for some advice in dealing with a damp smell in the ground floor flat I live in.

Basically, water is likely to be leaking into the cellar from the bathroom and probably from outside (which is at present not used because it's full of rubble from a conversion...long story).

Often there is a nasty damp smell after showering / bathing / when it's humid.

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NOTE

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I am very aware that this is a problem that needs to be dealt with structurally, builders etc are required.

The landlady is aware that this is a problem but currently doesn't have the funds to fix this. I am a lodger and I don't have a contract so don't think I can legally do anything about it.

My question is --NOT-- about how to solve the problem

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END NOTE

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Basically, I'm looking for any advice on how to cover the smell while I'm living here.
Scented candles only work so well, and the moisture absorbing dehumidifier things only go so far.

thanks in advance!

PhilE

That damp smell could contain mold which could ruin your health. Its your landladys duty to ensure that her tenants are not living in a damp cellar, and if she cant afford to repair it she shouldn't be renting it.

Depending on what the issue is, she is running the risk of damaging her property which could be very expensive to solve, and if the foundations where to require underpinning due to say a leak causing movement, the value of her property could drop.

So she's being a bit stupid to not solve the problem straight away.

For your own health, I'd recommend not living there until the problem is solved, especially over autumn and winter.

Geoff1963

Whenever possible, blow air through the place.
It will ( generally ) reduce the damp, and also blow out some of the spores.

abankerbutnotafatcat

We use a dehumidifier, you can buy one for c£100. They are also useful for drying clothes indoors and generally keeping excess moisture in the air at bay in winter when all the windows are closed.