How to get rid of this goddamn mold once and for all

[Deleted User]

Been in a rented house for a year now and it has nothing but mold and damp issues. We've had our dehumidifier running, windows open, we've cleaned the mold constantly with vinegar, mold and mildew spray, we've done it all but it comes back with a vengeance. We do not dry our washing in the house as we have a tumble dryer, the house is freezing cold sometimes because we need to air it out. Just came across stinking (of wee) , black mold all across the bottom of the wall so I've poured vinegar all over it to kill it. Last time I mentioned this to the estate agent, they just said it is condensation but this is getting ridiculous. It's all over the window sills, inside the cupboards, kitchen, living room. I'm worried that if we complain, we will have to vacate the property while they fix the problem or simply because we are moaning and costing the landlord more money and we've nowhere else to go. 

UnderOffer

“We do not dry our washing in the house as we have a tumble dryer.....”
Where is your dryer then? Outside, in a garage? This will generate a lot of moisture if it’s in the house being run and not ventilated. 

theoretica

Do you have a hygrometer?   I find it useful to actually know what the humidity levels are rather than guessing.

[Deleted User]

UnderOffer said:

“We do not dry our washing in the house as we have a tumble dryer.....”
Where is your dryer then? Outside, in a garage? This will generate a lot of moisture if it’s in the house being run and not ventilated. 

We have a washer / dryer, so there's no condensation from there. Surely that would not cause such severe mold problem though? The kitchen window is always open during the day and opened slightly on security lock during the night as this house has no trickle vents... Again, doesn't help the problem either. 

[Deleted User]

theoretica said:

Do you have a hygrometer?   I find it useful to actually know what the humidity levels are rather than guessing.

My dehumidifier machine has a humidity indicator and without it being on, it's 85% humidity. I have to put my settings on 40 to get it down to 50%

[Deleted User]

I'm in the same boat at the moment.
According to a builder, it's because the building is brick externally & concrete internally, with no insulation in-between. 
So, especially with the cold weather the walls are cold and attract moisture more. 

I've been cleaning mine off with a mixture of Luke warm water and bleach and then once it was dry I put some G4 damp seal on it. 
It's a little better, just can't wait for the warmer months so I get a bit of a break from the mould! 
It spreads like nobody's business doesn't it. 
Might be worth asking the landlord if you can have humidistat fans fitted, that's my next step. Was avoiding it because they cost a little bit of money but may be worth it to save your walls!

Davesnave

You have probably just rented a older house with solid walls perhaps exacerbated by other issues like cracked render, old pointing, high ground levels, exposure, leaking gutters etc.

At least that's better than owning it! More modern, well-insulated houses stand a lot more abuse. We dry washing indoors at this time of year and have no problems, although we do ventilate too. It's harder to do that if the fabric of the house is cold.

ProDave

I think you have reached a point where you have established the building is defective.

A HUGE amount of the UK housing stock is old, and well past it's use by date imho, lacking insulation and in many cases damp proofing.  Cold walls, condensation and damp are just what you get in these old buildings.  To fix them properly is the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about.

My advice, find another property to rent, nothing older than 20 years old, newer if you can find it.

davidmcn

It's goddamn mould, unless it's American (or you're talking about the town in north-east Wales).

RelievedSheff

Have you been heating the building properly?

You need a balance between adequate ventilation and adequate heating to avoid condensation and mould growth.

You really do need to be letting your agents know that there is an ongoing problem.

greatcrested

3) The Housing Health & Safety Rating System, provides guidance for landlords following the Housing Act 2004 on how Local Authorites use a risk assessment approach called the
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). This HHSRS does not set out
minimum standards. It is concerned with avoiding or, at the very least, minimising
potential hazards.

4) The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 defines fitness for human habitation, lays out rights on health, safety and explains the actions a tenant can take where breaches occur.