Damp issue

FTB_Seeking_Advice

Need help with damp issue.

Our offer was recently accepted on a first floor maisonette. We have noticed a damp in one of the internal side of an externall wall. The owner says that this damp is caused by condensation as the tenant used to dry clothes in the room without opening windows whilst keeping heating on. 

We just want to ensure that this is not a penetration damp but rather condesnation as pointed out by the owner. Do you know what type of damp this is? Perhaps, you have dealt with similar issues. 

Is there any particular survey that can help me find out the cause of this probem? I am going to speak with damping survey companies tomorrow but it would be good to know from experts here. 

daveyjp

Impossible to judge without photographs of the outside.

greatcrested

1st floor, so not to do with external ground level/external drain.

Not at ceiling height, so unlikely to be roof leak. (or is that some high level damp?)

Could be blocked gutter, though as above that's more likely at ceiling height.

Downpipe from guttering blocked/overflowing?

Is external wall rendered? What condition is the render?

As daveyjp says, what is on the outside?

But yes,could be condensation. Is it a north facing wall? Was there furniture(wardrobe?) up against that wall?

Doozergirl

Condensation is caused by the fabric of the building, rather than what is done. 

If you want to run the tumble dryer with no vent and all the windows and doors taped up, you're going to invite a problem, but it is caused by cold spots on the wall (or cold walls!) and a lack of background ventilation.  It's exacerbated by what the tenant does but many landlords have a terrible habit of blaming the tenants and it mainly isn't their fault.  

It's an old house.  It needs trickle vents in the windows and chimneys open or, if blocked, vented.  Bathrooms and kitchens need mechanical extraction.  External walls can either be insulated to remove the cold spots or you would be advised from keeping furniture off those walls.   

Photos of the exterior would be a good idea just to check there's no obvious leaks.