AIBU to expect my landlord to do these jobs?

[hobnobsaremyfriends]

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

I own a house where the downstairs toilet doesn't have a sink in the same room. The sink is outside the room. May change this at some point but it is not an environmental health issue.

sounds like the outhouse has damp problems if the room is not being used for anything. Probably a major and expensive fix.

your children are not at risk.

in short -don't really know but in your position, report the damp and close the room off.

kitty you should KNOW that your landlord cannot access your property whenever he feels like it. Take action.

To clarify, if I can, to get to the toilet, you go through the kitchen, into a covered area connected to the kitchen. There I've got a washing machine, fridge, then at the back the toilet in one side and a storage cupboard on the other. I'm not sure if that is considered an outhouse? Its included as a feature of the property so i expect it to be mold free, I will ask her. The sink is perhaps pushing it but I can't use it without one, so will look into getting it done myself. Thanks all!

Special how do you know her children are not at risk? Do you have some special way of knowing the type of mold that's in her home?

kitty it IS that simple. Please contact Shelter for advice.

yes, do move as soon as you can, but meantime it is your home and the landlord is breaking all sorts of rules.

tawdry no I don't. Perhaps it is that nasty American black mold that apparently instantly kills. But as no-one uses the room I fail to see how it is a ghastly danger. I agree it is not good enough but houses do not improve after viewings.

It really depends on the construction of the building whether it's an outhouse or not rather than where it's located if that makes sense? So from your description OP it could be an outhouse but might not be - I realise that's not much help! Remember to get permission in writing from the LL if you are going to get a sink fitted.

Special as I said mold does spread. It needs looking at OP by an expert.

I am a landlord.
Mould - yes I would fix as this is a health issue
Sink - no obligation to add as it didn't have one before.

Just seen the layout hobnobs - why can't you just wash your hands in kitchen sink? It's right next door...

Kitty - I would put a security chain on so he can't just walk in. (& I say that as a LL!)

It's likely that the mould is just from condensation damp, I'm no expert but it'll prob get the heat and moisture from the kitchen and utility area and by the sounds of it it's at the very back of the house so it's got the outside wall near where the toilet is, so it forms condensation damp.
You can try cleaning it with bleach and painting it with a damp proof sealant and then paint over it.
It would be relatively inexpensive.

Or just don't use it? Is it that difficult to go upstairs for a wee?