This isn't a aibu personally but are they (housing related)

[roseannaleeXo]

Didn't really know what category to put this in it's not really a ME Aibu more the other party in this.... anyways to the point!

Under housing association through the council in "temporary accommodation" as they say.
We have been here for a good while, every since we have moved in mould started growing everywhere, I have horrendous pictures but it is some how our fault that it is happened. I have complained three times to the HA the first response/blame was it is our fault for drying washing in our home etc
The second we was told to put our heating on it is electric heater/radiators no gas here! And to open the windows at the same time... are they mad ?
The third was oh we can paint it for you thy come round to look I said no because of children fumes etc to much hassle so we done our selfs. But it has come back yet again, all our stuff gets ruined my sofa has mould over it from the walls, our bedroom is the worst it goes from the bottom of the wal slanting upwards behind our chest of drawers clothes inside now all mouldy basically the whole place is mouldy we are in a one bedroom flat with four of us sharing, my little one now has a inhaler only a few months old it is a joke we are constantly ill coughing sick colds all the time, the place is always freezing it's all electric so can't have heating on 24/7 bill would be ridiculous I don't know what to do anymore every time I complain they shun it off with some excuse. In our tenancy before they changed and merged with another HA it never said mould was our problem to sort and since this new company taken over it magically says it is our problem, My other child's bed and mattress is mouldy but it is all our fault. All my furniture and belongings were brand new when we moved in they are ruined now, the other day I changed the beds and our pillows had mould growing on it and people wonder why we are always ill. I am sick of being blamed an shun'd on because there lazy arses can't be bothered to come and sort out THEIR buildings. The windows are constantly wet water comes in from outside they are damp on the ceilings part were the windows are we have people above etc.

Fed right up don't really know what I came here to ask but I am fuming. Has any else had this and if so what did you do?

I've been in temporary accommodation with HA there was mould in that house aswell thy moved me and it was the same in the next house thy also tried to say it was me funny how in the house I live in now I'm doing all the same things and there no mould or damp a friend went into temp accommodation n her house was riddled with damp and mould aswell I've now come to the conclusion it's in all there temp houses that's why they are temp

Christ whatshalli what’s your problem??

😂😂😂 at the idea that a private rental won’t have mould just because it’s private!

I live in a BN build. I have no choice but to dry washing inside as no garden or outdoor area. I always have the vents open and open windows daily for a food few hours.
I have a mould issue in bathroom despite extraction fan being on 'boost' and the windows open.
I ended up calling then out. And they said chances are as was all round the edge of the ceiling ( I'm top floor) that the insulation in the loft ( we have no access) is probably not fitted to the Edge.
Its not bad by any means but still irritating when you look after your home and try to eliminate all issues

Our (privately owned as it happens) 1930s semi got terrible mould when we dried our clothes on racks/radiators in winter. Finally saved up for a condensing drier and problem-solved. I don't think mould is any respecter of private ownership.

The water is coming from somewhere. Either there is a leak or it is coming from you and your activities. If it is you then solutions like opening the windows a crack while heating or running a dehumidifier, is what needs to happen.

We squeegee our shower down to get rid of water in winter to help keep our house dry. We also run our shower fans for about half an hour afterwards.

We had damp problems in our house shortly after we moved here so I bought a cheap gauge that monitors the humidity levels so we could figure out what made a difference.

I would get onto Environmental Health.
They wont just fob you off, they will investigate.
If it's down to the building they will take action.

Mildew sprays ARE bleach. Bleach is perfectly ok to clean mould off. The sprays are thinner and easier to get on but any bleach will work ok.

I had a one bed flat that was prone to this. I was shocked when I looked behind a divan and wall unit. It’s easy to say heat + open window (as my landlord did) but I was ground floor in a dodgy area and had ineffective storage heaters. I was single but adding in 3’other bodies would have compounded the situation: I hope you get some more suitable accommodation should soon.

Op..... use mould removing spray... let it dry

Then paint over with Damp Seal. It dries white. So you will have white walls etc but if the source of the damp is structural it will likely come back through. If it's to do with laundry then your problem is solved

Opening windows do not actually help on this weather as there is humidity in the air from outside. You need a dehumidifier.

The biggest problem comes from you breathing at night (hence why bedrooms are normally badly affected) and showering/cooking. Drying clothes is a small part and stopping this activity will not change this when you have 4 people in a 1 bedroom flat.

Why are you not a priority on the housing list?

@IsItSummerYet2018

The problem is because you are opening the windows and letting the humidity from the air outside in. Try keeping them closed and running a dehumidifier and you will see a big difference

This is what you need

I second Runningoutocharge. Damp seal worked great for us. Also used anti condensation paint. We live in large house with thick walls and found every winter we had mould in upstairs rooms. Can be caused by drying clothes indoors, cooking without using cooker extractor/opening windows. Even having a shower or bath without opening window afterwards, and leaving bathroom door open letting steam run through house. Since using anti condensation paint, the problem has gone. Also, try opening the window every day just for an hour or two.

Make sure it’s a DE-humidifier and not a humidifier - the former takes moisture out and the latter adds it!

To be honest I think it is more structural due to it being a factory years ago. As soon as everyone moved in it started. The walls are riddled with it, combine four people one small flat. It's going to happen

Still fighting!

OP forgive me for asking but why did so many people have to be moved so quickly? Was there something wrong with your original homes that the council / owners are fixing or worse?

It does sound like an awful battle against the mould? If other flats are affected do you know the residents well enough for a group of you to approach the owners? It might make more impact

We was waiting for a long time for accommodation to become available, so when they built and made the buildings ready people were moved in straight away. I think a few other people have complained but there very reserved private people so probably I would need to persuade them all the come forward.

There are too many people with the associated moisture in a small space.
That isn't anyone's fault (well .gov not T/LL) but it will cause damage to both parties.
I would approach the housing asking them to provide dehumidifier that work as you will be absorbing the running costs.

The effort it takes to have overcrowding + the knock on issues is completely lost on some.

That makes sense - so there's no chance of going back to where you where, you're stuck trying to find somewhere else. Its a shame you'd struggle to get them to come forward.

I would also move furniture away from the walls, as we found ours behind chest of drawers etc - not a silly amount, just a couple of inches just to let the air circulate - especially important for bed though

If your children have health problems ie asthma, you shouldn’t be living with mould.

Get a letter from your GP to give to landlord, it should help with getting you moved sooner

www.livestrong.com/article/213978-black-mold-the-effects-on-infants/

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/poor_conditions_in_council_or_housing_association_homes

Thank you for your Replys