To think that I shouldn't just be told 'you'll have to clean it up'?

[Dollslikeyouandme]

I live in a HA property. There is a problem with the windows and doors, they are wooden and are useless. They build up terrible condensation, there is mould growing around the seals and all over the walls. The upstairs ones flood when it rains and the water drips all over the carpet and floods the window ledge, did I mention the mould growing? The back door which leads into the living room leaks through the door panels and under the door and soaks the carpet.

I've had someone out this morning to 'inspect' kitchens. bathrooms, windows etc, and I've been told that there's no plans to replace the windows, and that I'll have to just keep clearing the mould up.

Aibu to think that this is unacceptable?

YANBU

If you have children in your home Id have thought they would have to do something ? Mould is a terrible thing , especially for attacking the chest . I'd go to Citizens Advice, if yours is still open that is .

Contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer and speak to them. YANBU.

YANBU - they need your property to a reasonable standard and mould can cause serious health hazards. I'd try both CAB and Environmental Health for advise.

a lot of properties have issues with mould from condensation, we do and just keep in top of it with airing out the rooms and anti mould spray. however, windows and doors that actually poor water in are completely unacceptable! I agree with the cab, they may be.able to help you understand your rights!!

You could try re-posting on the "Legal" board too with a title to show that the question is about maintenance of an HA property. I hope you get it sorted quickly :(

Back door and leaking window should be repaired or replaced as there are obviously defects.

Condensation is often within the control of the occupier. It is quite common to inspect several identical houses where one suffers from raging condensation and the rest are fine or have hardly any. The only difference is - as a general rule - how the occupiers have been using the property.

Ask your HA is they have any leaflets to assist you in understanding how to reduce and control condensation

Don't forget that Shelter have lots of good advice on their website about renting and your rights.

It is unacceptable. Landlords have a duty to maintain property in habitable condition and HAs aren't exempt from this!

I would make a complaint

you should talk to Shelter

Leaks are one thing, and should be fixed, condensation is a sign that (unless there are other hidden issues such as damp) the rooms are not being adequately ventilated by the occupier.

Well the window vents are open. The house is heated and I have small windows open when I am home, not sure what more I can do?

Have a look at the Shelter info and see if it is of any use to you.

I had this exact problem last year (HA home also)

I called E Health to see. They didn't care at all.

Told that on a scale of 1-10 mould ranks a 1 . 10 being the worst. Our mould was like yours, ingrained in the front door...walls etc...It was HELL!

Unless you have the time and energy to invest call after call to your HA, I'd go straight for your local MP.

I worked, and worked last year to sort out our home last year. Just wallpapered ( after being told the walls had dried out) for the blasted stuff to come back!

I really feel for you. :(

Thanks all. I've phoned and a surveyor is going to get back to me. But I just know what's going to happen. They'll give me a leaflet a out condensation and ventilation, which I already KNOW. And they'll come on a sunny day when the back door is not leaking and tell me they can't see a problem.

I will see what he/she says and take it from there.

Good luck. If your HA is anything like mine, you have a fight on your hands...

I keep in mind that at least our tenancy is secure, that is a wonderful thing these days...

Remember that when you feel down.

Your house should be watertight YANBU about that at all.

With the condensation - try drying off windows/glass once a day with a cloth (plus the opening windows that you do). Do you dry a lot of washing about the place - if so, think about getting a condensing unit in. I have one in our house, otherwise we'd be eaten alive by mold.

Also, check that your guttering is OK so that water is not constantly leaking off onto the brick work. Does the building have a damp proof course?

I had similar problems.

I called the Enviromental Health Department of my LA and asked their advice, they were willing to do a free inspection.

That was enough to get a proper survey done by my HA and I had damp proofing, new plastering etc.

Mould can be a health hazard and your LL has to either sort this out or give you a copy of the report that says it is at safe levels.

your house should be watertight. planned maintenance is different to that required by faults developing. For example, the ha may have a maintenance schedule which says facias need painting every 10 years, if yours falls off year 2 you do not wait until year 10 to replace,

do you have document somewhere that says "our responsibility" and "your responsibility"? might be handy to quote. You also need to report it properly and ask for a formal response.

if still no luck environmental health

if water is coming in from the back door, you can demonstrate this on the sunniest of days with a hose!

OP take a video of the rain coming through the windows and doors and of the windowledges and carpets when its happening. Then go to the press.

Ask your health visitor or GP to write a letter to the HA questioning health issues that may arise from living in damp, mouldy conditions, that normally gets them to act.

Also a visit from a specialist team to measure water content of walls, doors and floors wouldn't be expensive, you can then send findings to HA. Safeguard is one firm but there are others.

There are two routes, which you can follow in parallel. Firstly contact your local authority and ask them to inspect the property under the Housing Health and Safety Ratings System. This applies to housing associations in exactly the same way as private landlords. If they find a serious hazard they can require the landlord to make improvements.

Secondly google housing ombudsman and look at their guide to making a complaint. ts

Take pictures or videos on the worst days OP. You can't do much more than heat your rooms and open windows can you. I would worry whether your doors and windows were secure if so much water is leaking through as opposed to accumulating?

It may rank as 1 on a scale of 1-10 but if you or your dc became poorly as a result, I'm sure they'd wish they had ranked it higher! Can you speak to your local nurse or HV about it? If dc are still little your HV might be open to writing a letter for your to send to HA.

Good luck

If you can afford it then a dehumidifier does help. Mine is a cheap & basic model, but really makes a difference. Helps dry the washing too. They're also cheap to run.