Being kicked out of flat because we reported mould, needed repairs. Advice?

Finchy2018

Kim_kim wrote: »

I won’t tumble dry my clothes because I think it’s bad for them.
I was looking at the Lakeland Hot air clothes horses, is this where you got yours?

It is yes, I've had it a month and I really recommend it.

Finchy2018

Guavalava wrote: »

I think it will be hard for people to understand what I'm talking about if they haven't seen the flat. The mould is arising on the external walls only. This includes the hallway (front door that leads to stairs to take you to the main part of the flat). In this area there are no windows and no radiator. There is no way to heat that area of the home properly and no way too to let cold air out in that area. The door is old therefore letting in extra draught which is making the walls extra cold.

I the door is old and letting a draught in, it's got to be letting air escape too.

hazyjo

Guavalava wrote: »

I think it will be hard for people to understand what I'm talking about if they haven't seen the flat. The mould is arising on the external walls only. This includes the hallway (front door that leads to stairs to take you to the main part of the flat). In this area there are no windows and no radiator. There is no way to heat that area of the home properly and no way too to let cold air out in that area. The door is old therefore letting in extra draught which is making the walls extra cold.

Which explains my point earlier. Damp will automatically go to the coldest points in a house. Like when you have condensation on windows, or a cold glass of beer! Those walls are cold. So all moisture will head there.


Again, have you tried a dehumidifier? It sorted my neighbours' damp problem out.

need_an_answer

Guavalava wrote: »

I think it will be hard for people to understand what I'm talking about if they haven't seen the flat. The mould is arising on the external walls only. This includes the hallway (front door that leads to stairs to take you to the main part of the flat). In this area there are no windows and no radiator. There is no way to heat that area of the home properly and no way too to let cold air out in that area. The door is old therefore letting in extra draught which is making the walls extra cold.

Are you able to post a picture?

There are some very experienced people here who would probably then be able to tell you how much could be down to poor insulation and how much could be attributed to lifestyle.

AnotherJoe

Guavalava wrote: »

No we had to buy our own washing machine :rotfl: we didn't invest in an expensive one because we know there's a chance we might not be able to move out back out especially if we have to move and the new flat already has one, but I always do extra spins to get rid of any wetness as much as possible

Pity you didn't buy one with a built in tumble dryer since that condenses the moisture out and drains it away.

Guavalava

I will try and get some photos when I'm not at work. Basically it's literally only the external walls. So the hallway by the front door on the left (external wall) and carrying on the the wall on the left in the bedroom (external wall). The mould is progressively going up the wall to the ceiling, all the other walls in both the bedroom and hallway are completely mould free. It is only these 2 walls affected and the mould is covering the entire wall, not even just behind the bed (which we've moved away from the wall, to allow air to circulate behind it) but as I mentioned it is from floor to ceiling on those walls and those 2 walls only. All other walls are completely clear and have no sign of damp or mould.

babyblade41

Mould is caused by high humidity in the house where heat and circulation of fresh air is restricted.

Single glazing, old external walls aren't the cause unless they have damage allowing outside wet to come in

Internal mould ,unless there are leaks or walls breached externally ie chimney flashing in need of replacement , large cracks outside or something else causing it to come indoors.. it is coming from internal use.

If you have no place for tumble dryers then what about a washing line ? Spin twice if your washing machine isn't great

You can air inside but there must be sufficient warmth and air circulation to prevent condensation forming on a cold wall , doesn't matter where the drying is done it will find the cold spot

My property had horrendous damp to the point of every room the plaster has fell off, due to roof and chimney breaches and no guttering .

Repaired the breaches and slowly the house drys out with gentle warmth and fresh air with no mould anywhere , this has aluminium glazing too .

Ratkin007

After living in my house for 2 years with no problems I moved to another town and allowed my sister to move into my house. A short while later she complained of a damp smell and then mould. Turned out she was creating the problem due to drying clothes in the house but she felt that was not the problem as she had dried clothes in a previous house without issue. I got a dryer fitted, threw out furniture, curtains etc that was ruined, cleaned up, decorated no further problems. previously lived in a council flat and had a surveyor attend due to damp. He spoke to me about condensation so after politely telling him, I didn't boil the kettle, rarely cooked and always had the bathroom door closed when bathing and opened windows I suggested he look outside as the overflow above was constantly leaking. He had to apologise. It's not always lifestyle issue but I guess without stopping drying clothes inside you will not know.

dotchas

onwards&upwards wrote: »

It can be, it isn’t always.

I’ve been drying clothes indoors all my life, never had a mould issue anywhere. Why do people assume it’s impossible to dry clothes indoors without causing damp and mould?

I never said it was down to drying clothes, just lifestyle, lack of ventilation, not heating all areas etc.
I should have also said, when I lived in the property I often dried clothes indoors without problems and so does my current tenant.

FBaby

Some properties are just much worse for dsnp than others as are location. The closer to the sea, the worse the risk.

There isn't much that can be done but indeed adapt your lifestyle to it. Damp professional will always recommend better insulation because of course it can only help, but it is unlikely to solve the issue.

I too had tenants who complained of terrible mould in the house to the point of calling environment health (who didn't bother to do anything). They were convinced there was a problem with the walls. There wasn't. The two tenants before them who had been there for more than 5 years had no problem, nor have the tenants who have been there since.

If you live in one of those properties, you need to accept a lifestyle that means windows open almost all the time you're there and yes, it is likely to mean a higher gas bill. Some of these properties are worth it because of their location, features etc... Others are not. If you are not prepared to adapt to the required lifestyle, you are really beeter looking for somewhere else to live.