So - mould in property I’ll attach some pics

[ifyouwasme]

We’re in a rental atm, whilst between properties as our house purchase is taking ages.
The estate agents knew of a flat that wasn’t on the market but available, the place is actually being demolished as the x4 landlords have had planning permission the last few months. It’s helped us out of s tight spot no doubt, but since the colder weather has come it’s clear the place is rotten. Woodlice infestation, snails getting in somehow, mould popping up everywhere, massive amounts of condensation on the windows, water getting in through the front door and pooling by the door inside the porch, air vents have been shut and painted over, no extractor fans in the bathroom or kitchen, gutters are blocked, you can hear it when it rains.

We’ve had to buy 4 dehumidifier’s which are filling up everyday, these are big ones too, our pushchair has been ruined with mould, shoes, coats etc literally everything is getting covered in mould. I guess my point is - doesn’t a landlord have some responsibility for mould in their property? I don’t dry clothes indoors, I try to open the windows everyday and we heat it. Not sure what else we could do, I think the main problem is the repairs that need doing to the place.
It’s really bugging me paying the rent for this last month we’re here when it’s clear the place isn’t up to standard for living in as it is.

It looks grim and I'd hate paying for it too but it sounds like at least you'll be out of there soon. If it's getting demolished, I can't see the landlord paying a penny on maintenance. And if you withhold your rent, it could affect your credit score and open you up to legal action. All of that said, is your deposit in the protection scheme? Because if it isn't, and this is just an informal (not legally codified) rental arrangement, you have more options.

I’m guessing it is as we had a tenancy agreement to sign but no credit checks or affordability checks or anything like that

It just feels so unfair the landlords get to charge for this knowing they aren’t going to do anything to fix it all because why would they when it’s being knocked down

I found a dead ladybird on the shelf and even that’s gone mouldy lol

I can see why you begrudge the rent Op but if you're in the process of buying you'll hopefully be out of there soon. As it's going to be demolished there's no way the LLs are going to do any repairs, there's a good reason it wasn't on the market, it's not fit for habitation

Hi OP, how much longer will you be there? I would look into it if you have a baby. Awaab's Law https://share.google/WyVResb0mgwmcZY7S

I have two babies actually. We will only be here another month luckily but have been here nearly 6 months, we moved in in the summer and obviously then it wasn’t like this. The electrics keep tripping, the shower was all burnt out, it’s just a shithole.

It’s private rented so I don’t think this applies does it ?

I agree. But they shouldn’t have offered it us if that was the case surely ?

What’s pissed me off aswell is back in September time my husband had to park his car on the front grass due to the bushes down the side of the house being so overgrown his car was scratched, I had a phonecall off a rather abrupt lady stating the grass would be ruined and to move the car, which we did. But they’re happy to take money off people living like this with the inside conditions so bad ?

Your estate agents are crooks, take it up with them and a solicitor immediately. They have fraudulently done this fully knowing it isn’t meant to be lived in.

@MissPobjoysPoniesDo we have a leg to stand on ? It annoys me they’re trying to blame it on us as the tenants, when I explained the guttering is blocked and causing water to drain onto the property the estate agent said “that’s why it’s being knocked down” whilst laughing !

Sorry, try this
If you have damp or mould in your rented home - Citizens Advice https://share.google/btetPJJUnHT696CCD

Agree with the others that this is awful. But - a small thing- the first photo, can you slide the vent to open it? We have similar vents in our house and they all have to be fully open to facilitate the air circulating. If they aren’t open the cavity between the walls can’t breathe and you will have more damp.

I don’t know legally however - they didn’t put it on the open market, the building is due to be demolished, the estate agent laughed so obviously knows that it’s not an OK building to house tenants so you take all of that info into CAB and they may be able to prove it’s unsafe?

You say you are purchasing a house? How far into the process are you? Have you exchanged or are you just “looking”? Is your mortgage already set up?

if so then why would you be concerned about whether or not your rental credit rating is any good? Why not go into an Airbnb even if you have to pack up and move
monthly?

This is on your EA from what you have stated, so I would suggest to them that they sort it out for you - are you buying/selling them? If so I would suggest making their commission difficult if you haven’t already paid!

It sounds like it should be condemned, I'd speak to the ea manager, shelter and cab, I've itx nog fig for human habitation they shouldn't rent if out, I'd post photos to environmental health and the council too.

"The estate agents knew of a flat that wasn’t on the market but available," How did they offer it to you you? Did you have a chance to see it's condition before you accepted it? If you didn't, why were you not able to insist you did? I mean on the topic of Christmas, it sounds a little like saying how on earth did the in keeper get to rent Mary and Joseph a stable?! They probably shouldn't have done, but it was the only place they had and J&M were desperate and greatful she didn't have to give birth on the street!

Same here really. Sounds like they shouldn't be renting it out, hence why it wasn't on the market. The estate agents presumably had no need to offer you anything, but they did and you took it - why'd you take it?

No it’s been painted shut

Just to answer your questions - we viewed in the summer, no visible damp, but also didn’t expect to be here this long, delays with our purchase, we expect to be in in a month 🤞

This will be part of the problem. Houses with vents like these need to have them open. We have several across the house. It helps air to circulate between the bricks - a lot of modern house owners don’t understand this and go down the cavity wall insulation route and blocking these up which is the worst thing anyone can do. We’ve spent a fortune rectifying these mistakes in our 1950s house. If you can, purchase a new vent cover and remove this one and keep it open. And open any others you can find.