Mould in private rented accomodation

[InnocentRedhead]

The house we are in at the moment has a damp problem. Not too extensive, but still causing problems. Since moving in end of October 2011 (whilst I was pregnant), we have all had chest problems. DP had pleuresy (sp) just after we moved in, and has had a hacking cough/chest infection/asthma for 14+ weeks. DS 20W, has had a chest infection for over 2w (is on ABs Paracetamol and Salamol) that is sort of shifting and I have an awful chest (this has just started for me) breathless and a dry cough.

Right, the damp is on our bedroom front wall and in the cupboard (quite a few clothes have been ruined), there is a small spot in the living room (at the front of the house), the dining room at the back has a bit of it, and the room that is going to be a nursery has mould on walls top to bottom, and needs a new window. DS is still sleeping in with us, his room is no way fit for anyone let alone a baby! And even our room is still not great! DSDs room is fine AFAI can see.

I have contacted my landlord about it.. She has apparently contacted a builder to organise coming to look at the walls, who we haven't heard hide nor hair of. She has not called us at all recently. I am convinced that the wall is causing us all harm. Is there any (free) legally binding route that we could follow. I really don't want to move or be served notice, we cannot get this amount of house for our money anywhere else local as I got a great deal.

[olgaga]

The quickest and easiest way to deal with this is to wash the mould off with anti-fungal cleaning fluid. Make sure you ventilate the property, and suggest to your landlord that their problem could be solved for a lot less than getting a builder involved if they invest in a dehumidifier - they are great for drying laundry as well as keeping the place dry. You will save on heating bills in the winter too.

This is the one I have, and it's been worth every penny:

www.meaco.com/proddetail.asp?prod=10L

There are other brands/models of course.

[NaturalNature]

Depends what's causing the damp.

Damp from people/clothes drying/not opening windows/high humidity etc can be remedied by a dehumidifier.

Damp from structural problems, leaks etc are less easy to solve and would need the builders.

If the damp is in sleeping/living areas you can ask CAB for advice especially if it's causing health problems.

I lived in a structurally damp house and my health problems exploded but the damp wasn't in a sleeping/living area so there was no way to sort it.

[NaturalNature]

I now live in a high humidity area with a nice landlord who has fitted dehumidifiers and the lack of mould, lack of health issues feels like a dream come true. The effects of mouldy homes is under rated.

It sounds like you have got a "bargain" for a reason, I hope you get it sorted.

[Odmedod]

How well ventilated and heated is the house?
How often do you open the windows?

It is possible to sue for this kind of problem, but usually a solicitor's letter threatening section 11 action is sufficient.