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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to expect my landlord to do these jobs?

39 replies

hobnobsaremyfriends · 30/01/2015 09:35

Hi,

The problem is the downstairs toilet. It doesn't have a sink in it and doesnt have proper ventilation (no window) so there is mold on the walls and ceiling. The property is old so it was the toilet that used to be outside the house.

It is not the only toilet in the property but we do want it to be usable. It obviously hasn't been used by us so far as we can't wash hands and mold isn't safe for the kids.

I've spoken to the landlord to get it in working condition but she has spun around it saying we can decorate the property as we wish. I don't feel this is a decoration issue, but a hygiene one. AIBU to expect her to sort it out?

TIA

OP posts:

Nolim · 30/01/2015 09:38

I think the landlord should fix it. Does the contract mention mold?

wowfudge · 30/01/2015 09:42

Presumably you saw the downstairs toilet was in that condition when you took the property and there is another one and the main bathroom is okay? There's not a lot you can do I'm afraid.

Installing a sink with hot and cold running water may not be an easy job and therefore more costly than you think. You could get quotes for the work and go back to her - would she be happy for it knowing it will ultimately be to her benefit?

Purplepoodle · 30/01/2015 09:48

Is it inside the property? Is it mentioned on the lease?

Original poster

hobnobsaremyfriends · 30/01/2015 09:51

Yes the toilet was in that condition when we moved in. We just didn't have much choice with properties so went for it.

OP posts:

Original poster

hobnobsaremyfriends · 30/01/2015 09:52

It's in an "outhouse" if that is the correct term.

OP posts:

MidniteScribbler · 30/01/2015 09:52

Mould removal I would expect (and some sort of ventilation to prevent it reoccurring). I think yabu to expect a sink when there wasn't one when you inspected the property. I don't know about the laws in the UK but here if you have no ventilation in a toilet then you must have an exhaust fan which turns on automatically when you turn the light on.

DeanKoontz · 30/01/2015 09:53

I think the mould is possibly something that the landlord should sort out, but you moved in knowing there was no sink or heating and so I don't think you can demand that this is fixed.

Why not get some quotes for making it more habitable and present them to your landlord with a suggestion that you will contribute x amount.

What kind of mould is it?

Original poster

hobnobsaremyfriends · 30/01/2015 10:06

Unfortunately the landlord doesnt seem interested in doing much around the house except the bare minimum. But I would expect the mold problem to be sorted (we are in the UK) including proper ventilation. I think I'll get some quotes and suggest it to her.

OP posts:

ReallyTired · 30/01/2015 10:09

I don't think that your landlord is under any obligation to install a sink. As far as the mould goes, a lot depends how bad it is. How long is your contract?

MrsTawdry · 30/01/2015 10:09

Wow what crap. Mold is dangerous OP....it is the LL duty. You can speak to the department of environmental health at your local council. I did this when a LL wouldn't fix a mold issue...we had a baby....the council spoke to the LL and told him there would be legal action if he didn't fix it.

It was sorted very quickly.

APlaceInTheWinter · 30/01/2015 10:17

It really depends on whether it is a 'downstairs' toilet as you say in your OP or it is in an outhouse as you say in your later post.

tbh the problems sound like ones that are fairly common with outhouses. Arguably there is no need for a working toilet in an outhouse especially when you have other working toilets in the house which are of a tolerable standard and the outhouse toilet was in that condition when you agreed to the rental. You are BU to expect the LL to put in a sink because you rented the property knowing there wasn't a sink in that toilet.

If it is an internal toilet then you can ask for the mould to be treated.

wowfudge · 30/01/2015 10:24

It isn't 'crap' MrsTawdry. Yes the OP should talk to the LL about sorting out the mould but she can't compel her to do so. She could try going via Environmental Health but it's not as though it's the only toilet and the OP now states that it's in an outhouse. Get some mould and mildew spray to clean it up.

HedgehogsDontBite · 30/01/2015 10:34

If it's an outhouse and there is now a working toilet inside then yes YABU.

FlowerFairy2014 · 30/01/2015 10:36

Yes, I spotted exactly the same- downstairs toilet very very different from likely to be unused one in an old out house.

GraysAnalogy · 30/01/2015 10:36

YABU

You knew there wasn't a sink in there, if it was such a big deal to you you should have negotiated before you moved in

I would expect the mold to be dealt with though.

Cobain · 30/01/2015 10:37

As it is an out house the solution would probably be to remove the toilet for the LL as is will always have ventilation and mould problems. Removing will be cheaper than updating.

tryingtofindausername · 30/01/2015 11:21

If it's an old 'outside' loo then I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect it to be turned into a fully functioning loo. These were built a long time ago, before there was an indoor bathroom probably.

I grew up in a house with one. We just used it as an extra bit of shed. Who wants to use an outdoor loo that's cold and got spiders in if you've got a proper one indoors?

If it's really inside the house then mould is going to be an issue with no ventilation. Either landlord can remove loo and turn into a cupboard, or install an extractor fan. I don't thin there's any requirement for a sink to be included in a loo.

Kittymum03 · 30/01/2015 11:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

APlaceInTheWinter · 30/01/2015 11:30

As it is an out house the solution would probably be to remove the toilet for the LL as is will always have ventilation and mould problems.
YY exactly or in future the LL will just change the lease to say the outhouse isn't part of the subjects being let.

concretekitten · 30/01/2015 11:51

It's a tricky one.
The UK laws regarding rental properties are quite vague, what LLs should do and what they have to do are two different things.
Mould is dangerous but they could simply say "don't use the downstairs toilet", after all it's not essential to have two toilets in a house.

I am a LL myself and also a tenant in the house we live in.
With the property i own, I've got decent tenants and I know the importance of keeping good tenants so I try and keep them happy.
It's so expensive to remarket a property. If my tenants moved out it's likely the house would be empty for a month or so plus it can cost nearly a £1000 in estate agent fees and inventory costs etc.
It's a LL dream if you get tenants who want to stay long term and look after the place.
If you try and sell it to the landlord as "we really love the house and want to make it our long term home, but we're really concerned about the safety of the mould and feel if it was put right it we could see ourselves staying for a long time.
I'd avoid making it sound like you're making an ultimatum but definitely make it known that it's a deciding factor on whether you stay or not

Kittymum03 · 30/01/2015 12:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsTawdry · 30/01/2015 12:25

Wow mold spreads. It is astounding how neglectful some people are.

LL can't expect to receive full rent on property and not maintain it to a living standard.

MrsTawdry · 30/01/2015 12:26

OP call environmental health. Today.

CharleyFarleyy · 30/01/2015 12:28

He should fix it!

If you have to you can get environmental health to come and do an inspection and send him the report (the threat of it will probably have the desired effect )

concretekitten · 30/01/2015 12:31

Thanks I try to be.
I once had a shit tenant, caused loads of damage to the house n I had to spend a fortune putting it right.
My house isn't in a good area and can attract the wrong types so now I've got good tenants I'll do what I can (within reason) to keep them happy.
However, I don't have a bottomless pot of money to spend on the place so if I felt the work wasn't essential I might have to decline their request, but I'd try and come to a compromise.

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