We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Damp in rented house for 17 months. Do we have a claim?
leftism
Posts: 109 Forumite
In short, we've had damp from the moment we moved in (the wall was soaking the day we arrived)
Even though they have done 2 or 3 bits of work to try and solve it while we have been here (always after a long time and at our inconvenience), nothing has solved it. There hasn't been a point the whole time we've been here when there hasn't been damp.
It's in the living room, the hallway and one of the two bedrooms.
It causes paint to peel away and mould to form, even though we are constantly cleaning it.
We moved here with a baby and have had another while living here. She has been hospitalised twice with respiratory problems.
We've also had at least one instance where the water was causing an electrical burning smell and they didn't send anyone to help.
We've always been patient with them, but they've treated us terribly. So we asked for a discount for the rent we paid over the time we've been here and they said no because they have been trying to fix the problem.
So, we want to escalate it.
Just wondered if anyone can tell us- do we have any power? And what are the steps we need to take?
We're thought first thing to do is contact the council. Oh, and we are going to give our notice and leave asap anyway.
Thanks guys!
Even though they have done 2 or 3 bits of work to try and solve it while we have been here (always after a long time and at our inconvenience), nothing has solved it. There hasn't been a point the whole time we've been here when there hasn't been damp.
It's in the living room, the hallway and one of the two bedrooms.
It causes paint to peel away and mould to form, even though we are constantly cleaning it.
We moved here with a baby and have had another while living here. She has been hospitalised twice with respiratory problems.
We've also had at least one instance where the water was causing an electrical burning smell and they didn't send anyone to help.
We've always been patient with them, but they've treated us terribly. So we asked for a discount for the rent we paid over the time we've been here and they said no because they have been trying to fix the problem.
So, we want to escalate it.
Just wondered if anyone can tell us- do we have any power? And what are the steps we need to take?
We're thought first thing to do is contact the council. Oh, and we are going to give our notice and leave asap anyway.
Thanks guys!
0
Comments
-
You wont succeed in claiming compensation, however you can escalate to the Council and they may serve an enforcement notice if they feel the Landlord are not taking sufficient steps to rectify the problem. You should have done it some time ago.1
-
What financial loss have you incurred?As for the damp, have you escalated the issue properly?What has the Environemental Health Dept said following their inspection?0
-
You contact environmental health and you move out.
You should have left a long long time ago.
3 -
On the other hand the Fitness for Habitation act does mention the possibility of tenant compensation for tenancies granted after 20 March 2019 ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018/guide-for-landlords-homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018#penalties-what-happens-if-i-do-not-comply
1 -
17 months? You have a claim against whoever did nothing for 17 months. The OP
1 -
No financial loss. But we've paid full rent and not got a habitable house.greatcrested said:What financial loss have you incurred?As for the damp, have you escalated the issue properly?What has the Environemental Health Dept said following their inspection?
0 -
anselld said:
Yes, this is what I'd read. Thanks.On the other hand the Fitness for Habitation act does mention the possibility of tenant compensation for tenancies granted after 20 March 2019 ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018/guide-for-landlords-homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018#penalties-what-happens-if-i-do-not-comply
A lot of you seem to think I've got no chance. Surely they should at the very least provide us a home that doesn't cause health problems. Or is there just no protection for tennants?0 -
leftism said:anselld said:
Or is there just no protection for tennants?On the other hand the Fitness for Habitation act does mention the possibility of tenant compensation for tenancies granted after 20 March 2019 ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018/guide-for-landlords-homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018#penalties-what-happens-if-i-do-not-complyAs for the damp, have you escalated the issue properly?What has the Environemental Health Dept said following their inspection?
0 -
Have you contacted e.g. the Shelter advice service? They may be able to give specific advice on how to escalateleftism said:anselld said:
Yes, this is what I'd read. Thanks.On the other hand the Fitness for Habitation act does mention the possibility of tenant compensation for tenancies granted after 20 March 2019 ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018/guide-for-landlords-homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018#penalties-what-happens-if-i-do-not-comply
A lot of you seem to think I've got no chance. Surely they should at the very least provide us a home that doesn't cause health problems. Or is there just no protection for tennants?1
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 259.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards