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

They need to sort out the mould. That’s the main issue here, not your washing. Mould is a health hazard and has actually been a cause of death. I can’t believe they aren’t breaking the law by letting that mould problem continue.

This is not acceptable. https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/make-things-right/new-law/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23065127454&gbraid=0AAAAApZMC1l7P_e9oO6NvYgqslPEfCR_B&gclid=CjwKCAiAybfLBhAjEiwAI0mBBqT0KkJybzTAF5K63wTlX37KKWKAFw7sZvyPbfm4_dL6FFWirWs3sBoCeZ8QAvD_BwE

I would do the launderette for washing as someone else suggested, and I’d also be buying a dehumidifier to have running in the flat anyway. It’s not like you have to leave it there when you move, they’re handy in all houses. Our clothes dry so much quicker with it on and I wouldn’t want to run the risk of damp drying clothes without it (although we now have a tumble dryer).

I take two huge bags of laundry to dry at the launderette once a week. I'd hate to dry laundry indoors.

Ask where in the lease, it says about not drying clothes outside. If others are allowed then I imagine it is not in the lease. If it does say, then get a really good dehumidifier.

We dry outside all year round (North Scotland). Wind dries clothes!

We’re not allowed to hang washing outside on our flat balcony. I do, but hidden behind those fake leaf panels, so it’s not visible from below or the street. Our previous flat was in a fancier area, and no visible washing is allowed anywhere, not even in private house gardens.

My old flat, I didn’t have direct access to the back garden, so had to lug washing down and round the back alley. It’s just what needed to be done.

Does the back garden have a washing line? Why not liaise with the other tenants and get one installed?

I don’t think they can tell you not to dry outside, I think that’s unreasonable of them to do that especially given the mould problems. A few years ago I rented a tiny back to back house on a main road and there was no way to dry clothes outside, it was already written into the tenancy agreement that I had to dry everything using a condenser dryer to avoid damp and mould which didn’t bother me as I knew prior to moving in and I was single at the time so it wasn’t a huge cost. Now I have my own home and children, we had a few issues with mould and mildew forming around the windows so we bought a Meaco dehumidifier which is quiet and compact. it’s been the best investment, clothes dry so much quicker on the clothes horse and the amount of water that it draws out of the atmosphere is crazy.

I’d contact Shelter and ask them whether that’s - legally speaking - a reasonable requirement. Landlords aren’t allowed to just make up any old rule they like if it’s unreasonable, that said, it could be to do with the leasehold agreement. Shelter are very knowledgeable about the law in this area. I’m with you though that it’s a load of bllcks, regardless of what the law says, I don’t think it should be legal to build homes without thinking where people are going to dry their laundry, it’s a fairly basic life function, isn’t it?! I’m assuming given the size of the flat there’s no room to install a tumble dryer either?
On a practical note though, electric dehumidifiers are a godsend and they aren’t that expensive to run.

Is it fully just on the public pavement where you’re drying it? That’s not even their property. I’d just carry on doing it and ignore further correspondence.

that black mould is awful

It's really not nice to see washing hanging outside the front door is it. Let's not lower standards.

It’s really not nice to talk to people in such a patronising tone, is it? Let’s not forget manners.

The suggestion by the agents to dry clothes inside is idiotic, especially if there is an existing mould problem. It will cause huge issues with damp and mould that will damage the property further. I don't think you are doing anything wrong drying clothes outside , especially if others are doing it.

Ignore the request.

Honestly OP buy a good electric dehumidifier, you're moving in October as you said and buying your own place so you'll just bring it with you. It's an investment. It will dry your clothes faster and will help with the mould.

It may not say anything about laundry but may say you have to comply with block management rules at any given time.

Dehumidifiers are amazing. I bought one for about £65.I pop it on overnight and my clothes are dry the next day. It cost c4p to run it over night - get one with good reviews and low energy use. Mine turns itself off. When you empty the water tank you can use it for plants or dispose of it down the sink.

The dehumidifier will also deal with the damp without you needing to lose heat through open windows.

Can you get a tumble dryer? Avoid mould at all costs

One of your neighbours will have complained to the people who manage the block. They are jobsworths so pass the complaint onto your landlord who passes it onto you.

Write to your landlord explaining the damp issue and reasonably explain that you need to dry outside, until it is resolved. It may well be that the damp is a block maintenance issue and he needs them to act. So he writes to them saying the washing stays outside till the damp is resolved.

Then do nothing.There is someone in the block who likes to complain. There always is.

It’s obvious the second sentence is explaining why the first sentence prohibits drying clothes in the property.

It makes perfect sense.

Exactly!!

Because it's their property.

I'm no longer a LL, but would have provided dehumidifiers in this situation. You cannot expect GF tenants to leave their windows ajar
or dry their washing inside an already damp flat.

No.Because the statement says AS this can cause damage blah blah. Drying them outside will not cause damage.

The agent is telling her to do something that WILL cause damage.

@blackswan29 it makes no bloody sense does it.

Do the agents manage the other properties that dry their clothes outside?

Does the LL own those other properties?

i would write to the Agent & tell them you will be taking this to the council if the mould situation is not resolved within a month & you will NOT be drying laundry inside the flat which already has damp issues UNLESS they provide decent, cost effective dehumidifiers.

That’s just not realistic when the mould is caused by condensation.
If it’s mould caused by poor construction, pipe leaks or water intrusion, that’s a different story.

Every tenant is usually responsible to manage the ventilation of the water vapor they produce by breathing, cooking, and so on. The OP says that is the cause of the mould.

Even when it’s the Landlords responsibility, they frequently do nothing. They’re not the ones living with the mould. When we rented we just sucked it up and got a dehumidifier, a condensing tumble dryer, used anti mould sprays, and ventilated the property religiously. We pretty much had 1 window ajar 24/7 and did daily 10 minute full air outs, we also dusted like mad because dust is food for mould.

Why?

Obviously. But should be provided by the landlord!