Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Stingy landlord?

161 replies

Doglover321 · 15/11/2024 09:50

Hi everyone, I’m sharing a flat with my boyfriend and we have huge mold and drainage issues. Mold covers the exterior and interior of the property, and the toilet and shower are both thoroughly blocked. The landlord visited following a hole in the ground floor flat’s ceiling (due to our shower flooding), and has told us a plumber will be visiting today - two days after the event!! He says we will have to pay rather than him. Surely this is something a landlord would usually pay for? He also told us that in the meantime we would have to use the swimming pool showers if we needed to shower. TIA for any thoughts.

OP posts:
RandomWordsThrownTogether · 15/11/2024 10:49

Nope he has to pay. If he found that you were flushing wet wipes or something that caused the block you would of course be liable but normal use is his problem to sort out. We once had a blockage caused by wipes but they were far enough down the plumber was able to say it was the previous tenants. Landlords have ALWAYS paid for plumbing and mould removal.

Citizen’s Advice, the local council, Shelter and other charities may have advice. If possible I would look for a new place as the landlord and apartment sound pretty awful - my partner got Asthma from mould in a rental a few years ago - not worth risking your health.

Cappuccinowithonesugarplease · 15/11/2024 10:07

That's the whole point of renting? Your rent covers things like this it's why rent is so dear. It's 100% the landlords responsibility to keep the state of his property in check. I had terrible mold when i used to rent, which was painted over when I moved in but came seeping back through every winter. They will try and fob you off with ventilation issues and bla bla bla. Do you rent through a letting agency?

Lovelysummerdays · 15/11/2024 10:05

I think this is a depends situation. Shower drainage blocked because the shower trap is full of your hair is your responsibility. Although building insurance should cover damage to downstairs flat. Shower blocked because whoever renovated tipped plaster/ paint down the drain and pipes are blocked are a landlord issue. If it’s leaky sealant that’s the landlord again.

LikeARunnerHo · 15/11/2024 10:05

That’s bullshit.

Regarding the mould, if it’s on the exterior then it’s clear this isn’t an issue that you caused. Most likely, it’s an issue to do with the building and you shouldn’t be paying for anything.

As for the blockage, I guess it’s more difficult to prove that you didn’t block the toilet yourself but I still wouldn’t expect the Landlord to try to throw the costs on you. This is why I prefer renting through an EA because at least there’s a middle ground.

Sorry OP, I have no advice but it sounds ridiculous

Houseplanter · 15/11/2024 10:03

Why would you allow your shower to flood the downstairs if you knew things were blocked?

gummania · 15/11/2024 10:02

did you leave your shower on?

Mabelface · 15/11/2024 10:02

If the damage is caused by your negligence, then yes, you'd pay. However, this sounds like the issues are with the drainage and the house being damp itself, given that the mould is outside and inside. Give shelter a call for advice. You may have a shonky landlord avoiding responsibilities.

Anotherworrier · 15/11/2024 10:00

Did you cause the blockage?

Lozzie51 · 15/11/2024 10:00

This is absolutely on the landlord to maintain his property.

Anotherworrier · 15/11/2024 10:00

Of course you don’t have to pay. You need to out everything in writing and take it to the council, they can make the LL do repairs and fine him if he doesn’t.

Thatsenoughcoffee · 15/11/2024 09:58

Landlords are often stingy, but tenants often cause mould by not ventilating properly, and block toilets by flushing things down that they shouldn’t. Could that be the case here?