AIBU or is the Estate Agents?

[Fangbanger66]

We've lived in this property now since end of July.

We have mentioned the window seals on the double glazing in the main bedroom since we moved in. There broken on each window.
Our estate agent done our inspection yesterday and again brought up the windows and the level of condensation.

We have puddles of water on the window sill each morning which we have to towel dry, we have the wall underneath the windows dripping, cant see through windows each morning and dark mould near window (picture). We use condenser as well to keep on top of it.
She replied it wasnt because of the window seals, its because 2 people sleep in the bedroom, the hot air from inside meets the cold air from the outside on the windows and thats what causes the condensation.

I replied if this was the case, then everyones house would be like this, this time of year. I said my friends and family havent got this problem when 2 people are on bedroom. I never had this problem in the two rental properties I had before this one.

She just looked away and said Ill give your feedback to the Landlord but I think its just because you sleep in the room.
I didnt want to argue with her or repeat myself so i just said okay.

Now waiting for a reponse from Landlord. But do i have a point? Can i ask for this to be dealt with? Surely a bedroom shouldnt get like this because "2 people sleep in it"

Im due a baby in 4 weeks which will be sleeping in the room also and i don't want anything bad on the babies lungs.

Any suggestions that I or the Landlord could do?

I think the estate agent is correct, it's a case of warm damp air condensing on the windows.

What is the ventilation/heating like in the property?

I would give environmental health a call asap. You are right, a bedroom shouldn't be like this - estate agents are unqualified and unregulated so are just useless sometimes.

It's hard to see from the photo but is the water/condensation on the outside of the casement window (can you wipe it off) or is in in between the two panes of glass?

If it's the later then the seals are broken. It's not really a major problem. The special gas that's inside will be lost along with it's insulating action. The seal can be repaired to stop it steaming up, but not the gas replaced.

If it's the former, which I think it may be, hence the mold, them it's a condensation issue. Do you have an extractor in the bathroom, dry clothes on the radiators, use kitchen extraction etc. All these can lead to a lot of moisture in the air. Do you air out the house? Are there vents in the windows? They need opening. Is the room cold?

The Estate Agent probably right but should really offer some practical advice on how to alleviate the problem.

Ours gears condensation but maybe not quite as much as yours but it gets like that at my parents. They have stone walls so that might make a difference? We just use a dehumidifier

c3pu but if that's the case then why hasnt it been like this in the last 2 properties I've lived in this time of year? Ive never seen this in any house I've ever lived in, private or with parents.

weezol i was thinking that if my landlord refuses to do anything about it. Estate agent didnt seem to be too bothered so i doubt landlord would be when she tells him

The mould underneath needs sorted but we have the same condensation problem with our bedroom window. The other bedrooms are fine but ours is the only one at the back so I don't know if that makes a difference? We bought a window vacuum & use that most mornings.

fruit its not between the two glasses panels, no.
We have tried using condensers, keeping bedroom open (not windows as its too cold at the mo). We've been wiping down windows and put no laundry on radiator in this room.
In bathroom theres no extractor but we keep window open. Theres no puddles and mould in any other place in house.

Unless the other properties you’ve lived in were identical to this one I’m not sure you have a point. Terrace houses tend to be warmer as they don’t have as many outside walls. Different building materials and ventilation will make a difference too. There are quite a few factors to consider.

This house is the end of a row of terraced houses. Ive lived in a terraced and a semi detached before. Ive never had this problem nor has any of my family or friends when ive showed them the pictures. So i dont think its down to 2 people sleeping in a bedroom when its cold outside

Are they very large windows? The wall height seem very low?

Again, is that condensation between the panes? It would mean that the seal has been broken, it won't be a big deal but will reduce the insulation a bit.

If that is the dehumidifier you mean it won't be enough. You could ask the LL for an electric one, they don't cost a lot to run.

Usual causes are:

It's a bedroom! Lots of warm air hitting cold glass
Drying clothes indoors and all the other usual suspects.

You may not have met it before, I see it daily and have this conversation with landlord and tenants a lot! The only way to find out if it is you, the house or a mix of the two is to get a damp survey done. You could start with your local council.. even as a private renter this is available to you.

The agent is right, and they should tell the landlord immediately. That gives you all a chance to do something to stop it becoming a big problem - that will cost you at check out.

It really does look like condensation, and that is always a lifestyle problem, deposit agencies will let the landlord claim for cleaning and some redecoration costs from your deposit! So it is in your interests to work with the agent and get it sorted, as much as is possible!

This is some of the best info, I give the link out a lot

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-in-rented-housing/disrepair-common-problems/disrepair-condensation-dampness/

yabu it is an almost Universal problem ime

but if that's the case then why hasnt it been like this in the last 2 properties I've lived in this time of year? Ive never seen this in any house I've ever lived in, private or with parents.

I've lived in a number of properties, some with damp/condensation issues, some without. Lots of varying causes tbh.

What are the walls like? Cavity walls, or solid walls? Are they insulated, either with cavity wall insulation or with polystyrene insulation covered with render?

What sort of heating do you have? What is the temperature like, both during the day and overnight?

How do you dry your clothes? Indoors? Outdoors? Tumble dryer? Clothes horse?

What are the subfloors made of? Concrete, floorboards?

How big is the property?

How many people live in it?

How many walls/floors/ceilings face the outside?

How close do you live to a watercourse? Whats the drainage like around the property?

What are the conditions of the guttering?

Basically all of the above (and a whole lot more besides) can contribute to condensation/mould issues to some extent. Some won't be relevant to your situation, and some you will have no control over, but there might be a few you can tackle and improve the situation.

We get that sort of condensation in our bedroom every winter - I think it's pretty normal when it's freezing cold outside, to be honest. Not ideal, of course. We just open the window every morning before work and make sure the bedroom door is shut so the rest of the house doesn't freeze. Whoever is home first shuts the window.

It's an old terraced house and our bedroom doesn't really get much sun so it stays cold year-round, which doesn't help. I've had it in rental properties too and just opened the window each morning which sorted it and meant we never got mould.

Curious, i might ask the council for a damp survey. To see what cause is. I have listened to agents and followed there instructions but nothing.

Slarty, its not a universal problem as I, none of my friends or family have encountered this before -not to this degree where the bedroom is soaking wet each morning.

Will my newborn baby be okay in this room? That's what im most concerned about

Sorry, I took too long to type all of that!

You can buy a window vacuum for about £30 in B+Q etc. We use one daily (home owners).

HG mould spray will clear and kill the mould - about £5 B+Q, last for ages and is THE BEST thing to get rid of that black mould. Again, I use it on our windows, once a year or so!

You ill probably have to sacrifice some of the heat to air the house, open windows even in the depths of winter - I have done that this morning!

Is that window on the end terrace wall? It will be colder and yes, 2 people sleeping really can cause all of that. DH does it alone, I don't seem to!

Every house is different. It could be you, the way you live, breath, sleep, is not a good match for that house. At least, as a renter, you can move far more easily than I could... it is one of the benefits we were reluctant to give up

I think it's made worse by inadequate ventilation - ask agent/landlord for an extractor fan to be installed in the bathroom or you may end up with mould issues.

Will my newborn baby be okay in this room? That's what im most concerned about So there will be 3 people breathing in there? Yu will have to take ALL possible steps...

But yes, if you clean off the mould with the spray I mentioned, perhaps get a window vacuum, air the room daily - air the whole house ideally! and take all possible measures to reduce the condensation... see the link above.

Is won’t be the seals and your kid will be fine.

Your room needs warmth and ventilation.

Puddles of water on the windowsill sounds a bit extreme for normal condensation. I've lived in houses where there's been condensation and damp patches and mould, and there's been no leak. Drying washing on radiators, no extractor fan in bathroom, long showers, and not using kitchen extractor can all contribute to moisture in the house which condenses on the cold windows.
Keeping windows open may help a bit, but it's minimal. A dehumidifier should help a lot. We hang our washing in a closed room with a dehumidifier and it's amazing to see how much water is removed, all that water would be in the air and on the windows otherwise.

I do think the estate agent/landlord cant just fob you off. If there's no extractors, and two people living in the house normally cause that much condensation then something needs to be done!

C3pu

What are the walls like? Cavity walls, or solid walls? Are they insulated, either with cavity wall insulation or with polystyrene insulation covered with render? no idea

What sort of heating do you have? What is the temperature like, both during the day and overnight? boiler not combi i dont think. Temp in room us between 15-18. Been putting babies egg themometer on

How do you dry your clothes? Indoors? Outdoors? Tumble dryer? Clothes horse?
in tumble dryer downstairs in kitchen

What are the subfloors made of? Concrete, floorboards? no idea

How big is the property?3 bedroomed terraced. Quite big

How many people live in it? 2 so far

How many walls/floors/ceilings face the outside? no idea

How close do you live to a watercourse? Whats the drainage like around the property? no idea same as everyone else. Neighbour doesnt have this problem. Ive asked her

What are the conditions of the guttering?decent

But all these things about guttering etc thats not my problem is it? That's the landlords?

Do you open the windows daily? Poor ventilation is a huge cause of mould and damp issues in this country.

No, but they would give you some information to decide on whether it is worth staying there or if the house is just a dead loss for you and you family!

Please do read the link I provided, it will save you a lot of angry backwards and forwarding if u know what the common legal advice is!

Curious, ill get some mould spray. And spray it everywhere. You say u only need to spray it once a year?

Do you ever open the bedroom windows?

Hi OP. Take a look at this link and read it thoroughly www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/housing/condensation.aspx

What kind of heating do you have and is there any heating under the windows where the problem's manifesting? We get a lot of condensation in rooms where there isn't a radiator under the windows.

You could try something like this
www.wearetubularheaters.co.uk/shop/tubular-heater-with-2mtr-cream/ something small and cheap to run and which you could possibly operate with a timer switch.