Brown Mould in Bedroom -Top floor flat

ThisIsWeird

Hi Michy.

I see the photos now added to your opening post.

I have to say, that looks very light mould to me, and is not unlike what I will get on the ceiling of our bay window at times, and is very easily wiped off, and a spray of mould killer will, well, kill it deed.

If that is as bad as it gets, then it is surely containable, and not really unusual? I suspect that a LL will not find this an issue worthy of investigation.

Regarding the issue of sleeping with the window open, if my son doesn't do this during winter time, then he wakes to running windows. This is because our heating is set to do down to 15o overnight, and all the vapour in his room from the evening, coupled with what he expels during the night (matron!), will need to find somewhere to go. That vapour either needs to be kept in suspension in the air - which will involve having the heating kept high all night - or it'll condense out on the coldest surfaces in turn; in our case that's the windows, in yours it's that wall. The 'solution' is to ventilate that excess humidity away.

No-one should be cold during the night - it's why we have duvets and overnight leccy blankets if needed. The bed should be cosy, but the room doesn't have to be. In fact a 'cosy' bedroom will often be stagnant and not very healthy.

If you were cosy in bed during the night you had your window open, I can't see how you caught a cold from the experience.

First thing in the morning, jump out of bed - or push t'other person oot - and shut the window and turn up the heating. But, overnight, ventilation is good for the room and good for the occupants.

Having said all that, although it's hard to fully make out, it could be that your mould is in an isolated area, and away from obvious places like corners, so there is a possibility that it's caused by an external leak. Could you post a 'wide' shot, please, so we can see where it is in relation to the walls/ceilings?

EssexHebridean

You didn’t catch a cold from having a window open overnight OP - a cold is a virus, and doesn’t just arrive due to an open window unless of course someone who also had a cold was standing outside breathing in through the gap all night. Unlikely as you said you are on the top floor, I think?

mexican_dave

Looks to me as if your window is a dormer window projecting from the roof, can you confirm? Assuming the window is a dormer, then unless properly insulated the exposed sides (sitting above the roof) get cold, thereby leading to a colder surface and hence attracting more condensation. But you are telling us that the mould problem is getting rapidly worse so I think you are right to suspect a: loose tile; broken tile; missing tile; etc. which lets some damp in and encourages mould.
So the question is what to do, everyone else has suggested Environmental Health and they are NOT wrong. Maybe a change of tack with the Building Manager, tell him it's a roof leak and copy in the landlord?

Michy78

@RHemmings @ThisIsWeird @mexican_dave Thank you All. I do not sleep with the heating on , never did and never will and I also like the room at cooler temperature so the heating is off while before i go to sleep. 

The mould has been already cleaned by myself around a month  ago with Ronseal 3 in1 mould killer which it didn't remove the stains completely , then i applied an anti-stain primer and after i also use a mould  resistant paint but after less than 3 weeks doing all this the mould has reappeared which is so soon . it is not normal that i have to do this every 3 weeks I am almost convinced that it is something to do with some cracks somewhere in the roof but the point is who do i approach first. My landlord and explain that i get ignored and I am concerned about my health ( who very likely doesn't give a toss?) or the environmental office which might take a very long time?

I also called Redress Property Scheme and asked advise and they told me i have to complain directly in writing to the property manager who has 8 weeks to answer but this time ,  i actually want to complain to the direct report of him this time as over 1 year ago when i complained , as he ignored my emails  for over 3 months , he came up with an action plan but none of these has been taken in relation to maintenance and cleaning in the communal areas of the building after more than year has passed .

Separately i think i want to write an email to my landlord , showing all the emails trails on unanswered emails I have and explain to him if it could help to find a solution. At the end of the day , the property manager was quickly dismissive verbally saying that basically the mould is caused by condensation but he is NOT putting in writing because he probably knows that he is not real reason.

Also i was informed that the environmental services is not free as this is a private rented property not a council house so they told it might quite expensive

mexican_dave

Environmental Health department at your local council is there for everyone. Someone's telling porkies!

Alderbank

mexican_dave said:

Environmental Health department at your local council is there for everyone. Someone's telling porkies!

OP used the term 'Environmental Services'. That implies more than just advice, which is indeed free.

Would dealing with infestation of mould be classed as 'pest control'?
Citizens Advice says 

The local authority's pest control or Environmental Health team can give you help and advice in dealing with problems with pests and vermin.
Some local authorities have a pest control service which you might be able to use, although there'll probably charge for it if you're not a local authority tenant.

My local council's Environmental health fees and charges for 2023/24 include:

Pest Control Services (all domestic properties) £51.60 (free for council tenants)

Michy78

@mexican_dave thank you so much as I was advised it is not free and it should not be me to fork out the money to be honest

Michy78

@penners324I will try a dehumidifier though there is 0 humidity in the bedroom

mexican_dave

mexican_dave said:

Environmental Health department at your local council is there for everyone. Someone's telling porkies!

I still reckon contacting Environmental Health at the local council for a site visit and FREE advice is a good move. Depending on their assessment of the problem they might write a letter to the landlord requesting action. EH also have enforcement powers, it's their public duty. Ensure you give EH the full history of this problem and the broken promises from the building manager.

Michy78

Thank you @mexican_dave. Do you think i shall not mention anything to the Estate Agent manager ( who is the not the building manager ) and  let her know that due to lack of response , i am forced to resort to the Environmental Health  ?