Ongoing battle with landlord (well, estate agent) re washing

a dehumidifier might solve your problem. . Leaving it at the front of the property isn’t ideal. In the bathroom with windows open on a secure latch is also an alternative.

It’s normal to get a humidifier if you are getting mould - get a decent one that is a big enough size. I wouldn’t expect the landlord to pay for that.
it will make your flat feel warmer too.

If there is outside space then there should be approval, even encouragement, to dry outside. Why should the landlord deny a basic need like that. I hope you get them to see sense. Maybe rally all the residents to write a letter to the LL citing the environmental and health angle?

Threaten them with legal action over the mould and damp

Most flats have something within the lease hold re drying washing outside flats and on balconies. That’s pretty standard even if not in your tenancy agreement. (That’s on the letting agent/LL for not including it) that said you’re living in. Mouldy flat. They need to offer you dehumidifiers and not expect you to foot the bill, (it is after al in their best interest to protect their investment and most importantly let a safe environment)
keep everything in writing , request the LL provides dehumidifiers in writing and if not support go to your council environmental health ask & for their support
im in the same position, ridiculously high rent and mould everywhere. I’m cleaning with rubbing alcohol (bleach makes it worse) I’ve had to throw expensive boots/shoes/bags/coats/ kitchen pans/food all sorts, my LL provided me the standard common sense advice and 2 dehumidifiers.
im trying to find a new home but everywhere is beyond expensive and 40 odd people are applying for each one :(

Obviously no problem with drying outside - is it that you are drying outside the front of the property rather than the back, some management companies don’t like that.

Can you buy a tumble dryer with a hose you can hang out of the window while using it? That would solve a lot of your problems assuming you have somewhere to put it. Alternatively, is there a launderette anywhere in your vicinity where you could use the dryers?

Shes been told where the drying area is.

Tbh your landlord sounds shit but I would buy a dehumidifier anyway. I bought one when I moved into my first ground floor flat and it is still going strong almost 20 years later. They are not that expensive to run and the amount of moisture they suck out of the area is unbelievable. Once the air is dry in your flat it will feel much warmer.

All you need to do is hang your clothes on an airer ideally in a small room with all the windows and doors shut. Then the dehumidifier should dry your clothes reasonably quickly.

Lots of leasehold properties (blocks of flats) have clauses on drying washing at the front of the building. So if the landlord lets a rental occupant dry washing outside the landlord would be breaching the terms of their lease with the freeholder.
I'd advise you use one of those drying racks that's like in its own little tent and get a de humidifier in room you put it in

Contact an ombudsman, or look for “renters rights” https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/damp_mould_social_housing/contact_social_landlord_damp_problems

I would ask them, quoting this clause from the contract, where the designated drying area IS for your flat, given you cannot dry anything indoors due to that clause.

And then if they cannot tell you where that is, I'd dry stuff at the laundrette, or on airers wherever you fancy outside, and send all the photos of black mould to the local authority who licence landlords and can take action if properties are not fit to live in - black mould is a hot topic with them these days!

Be particularly good if you have it in writing that the block management are advising you to do something your tenancy agreement/contract specifically states you must not do (dry indoors).

Is moving not an option?

Can you get a tumble dryer?

It also means they can hold you responsible for the mould damage to the blinds etc and withhold your deposit.
Keep a record of all correspondence with them.

I know it's not completely relevant to the post as OP can clearly put their washing out the back, as they should, and so do I.

But there are plenty of times where that might not be feasible. The flats in front of me for example, only have a front communal area or small balcony, so what other choice do they have? I really can't get myself to have any feelings about it at all.

People being bothered by seeing some washing is giving me really snobby vibes to be honest. Like the poors daren't put their ugly holey clothes outside for the world to see.

Worth potentially serious lung damage from mould? Pillock.

Condensation and mould are caused by inadequate ventilation.
Why wouldn’t that be for the person living in the property to manage?!

Oh, moron is it?

Its about 20-30 quid a year

50p a week

They need to buy you a proper bloody dehumidifier! Sending massive sympathy OP had my share of shit landlords and cheaply fixed up properties (one landlord tiled over bloody wallpaper in the bathroom, guess what happened with that...) we ended up buying our own dehudifier in our second rental because every bloody house we've ever rented the and since has suffered from damp and they just shrugged. So glad to own my own home now.

Landlords that allow untreated and unaddressed damp or let any other issues slide that endangers tennants after they've been informed about it should quite frankly have their properties repossessed by the council and get a charged for a crime!

It's likely a condition of the leasehold on the flat. How well that is enforced can vary, DH and I own a flat, the management there are good at enforcement and can be litigious.

If you can, get a washer dryer or a dryer. Also, buy an ebac dehumidifier if you can. They're very good, will dry clothes quickly and as they are known to last for years, they retain some resale value when you move.

OP does have permission to dry washing outside in a drying area, she simply chooses not to use it.

Trickle vents have never been demonstrated to work well enough in practice to keep a place properly ventilated. Unless you have access tonsome different research to what I've seen?

OP that mould is serious - id get a dehumidifier but either go on drying laundry outside, get a condenser tumble drier or dry at the launderette.

And hope that Awaab's law is extended to the private rental sector this year as promised
https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/how-to-prepare-for-awaabs-law-as-a-private-landlord

Who do you think 'sorts out' condensation and mould in the homeowners house?

No trickle vents are not adequate, hence my post about having windows open