I don’t like my new house! AIBU to take it further with agent?

[Realitea]

We had to move as our previous landlord was selling and we didn’t have long left after notice was given. We couldn’t find anything in the area, nothing came up, so we chose nearby instead. All the new builds were too small/too far away/too expensive so we came across this house which is quite large and has a lot of land. Bargain! We thought. We had a look round with the agency and that was it, we paid up. So far it’s cost us all of our savings (to me £3k is a lot! It’s all we had)
Once moved in I realised how run down it actually was. Black mould on the inside of curtains, single glazed windows which fill up with condensation, slugs in the kitchen, woodlice everywhere, a wet wall from the damp, filthy cupboards inside, big gaps between the units and appliances which stink of damp.
I feel awful about this. I’ve sent pictures and emailed the agent to say I had no idea it was this bad. I’ve bought with my credit card, a big dehumidifier which fills up to full every day.
The dc’s love it, they’re playing outside every day and it is very scenic here at least. Dh loves it too, he thinks it’s his dream house!
I just feel gutted. I am constantly worrying about the problems the house has and I’ve already booked a plumber myself to fix the kitchen tap as it’s like something from the 60’s and actually hurts to turn the bloody taps as the handles are so short and stiff ?!!
I’m just thinking how we can’t move again as there’s no money left and if I complain too much we’ll get turfed out. The landlord obviously doesn’t give a stuff about maintaining the house or bringing it up to standard.
The energy rating somehow got a D. I’d say it should be more like an F.
What on Earth do I do?

This is what you need for window gaps! Don't pollyfiller expandingfoamtape.co.uk/gap-size-4-9mm/expanding-foam-tape-br-10-4-9-x-8m?gclid=CjwKCAjwmJbeBRBCEiwAAY4VVTQcCcOmE5O2wdC00IX1axzqjHgLsozSY9e6JjrLx8oUKBz3AugUCRoCC4kQAvD_BwE&zenid=41bca731540ee5ad88bc89be47d77940

OP is renting tigger

OP, if you bleach it will come back. HG mould spray makes a real difference as it kills all the spores. I recommend it to every tenant I see, round here ALL houses have terrible condensation issues.

As others have said, wash all fabrics now, very hot wash, bleach include if possible. Clean down all surfaces, make sure you get the back of cupboards, underneath too if you can get the kickboards off (don't scream if it is all black under there, it does just wipe off!)

Get the LL back to look at the wall, window and gutters, stuff that is the fabric of the house, that will cost him a fortune in the long run. Point that out to him and the agent, slowly and carefully, whilst telling them that you have washed down the affected areas with specialist mould spray, to contain it.

You might need to learn a new way of heating and ventilating your new home. I've lived in single glazed, old, often run down houses for most of my life, I now own one! So I am used to the illogic of heating a house just to let the hot air out to ventilate. But you will eventually find which windows and doors you need to open to get a through draft that will solve much of the problem.

If you add that Karcher vac to the dehumidifier you'll be fully armed for the Condensation Wars. Once you have your routine you might love the house as much as the DCs and DH. My DH does the emptying of the dehumidifier and scraping of the windows whilst he makes our morning coffee, it takes about 5 minutes in all. Get yours up to speed with that and you should be much more on top of it.

As others have said, I love my quirky house and the dreaded black spot mould, which was rampant when we moved in, is no longer evident other than pale grey spots in places we haven't yet painted!

And DO NOT withhold rent! That is ALWAYS the worst possible advice!

Condensation just doesn’t come from damp per se. If the house is cold, warm air hits cold walls and glass turning it to water. Try low level heat from an oil filled radiator left on for as long as poss. and let in fresh air when you can. We have single glazing. Roller blinds at the windows as well as curtains, form a good secondary glazing and plains ones are quite cheap to buy.

If the stuff was listed on the inventory, why didn’t you challenge it before you moved in?

Single glazing is going to condensate at this time of year. Wipe windows and open them as much as you can.

Spray everything with bleach or a chlorous solution.

Wipe down with bleach regularly.

Don’t dry clothes inside on racks.

What appliances smell? It’s normal for them to smell if they’ve been left closed and not used. Run them hot wash and with a cup of bleach. Wipe around any seals with a bleach or chlorous solution.

But you can’t say you weren’t told about it. So to an extent while I feel for you, the reason it was a bargain is because of the issues.

Also yes, just x posts, you’ll have to heat the house to open the windows. Especially if it’s stone walls.

They can't turf you out; retaliatory evictions are now unlawful.

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

If the house isn't fit for residence, then I'd call Shelter, as has been said, and get advice on next steps. The landlord has legal obligations towards you. Black mould is a health hazard.

Once the fixed term is up they can be given notice though.

Though I should add that condensation and damp are different things - I agree you need to keep on top of the former. We have an old house and have to, or it would get mouldy too in winter. Adequate heating, wiping down single glazed windows (a maintenance issue as well if wooden framed), not drying clothes indoors.

Badly fitted kitchen, if safe, isn't an issue. It's cosmetic and the rent will reflect that sort of thing. Wet walls from damp though is a problem from structure - speak to Shelter about what constitutes a health hazard.

Once the fixed term is up they can be given notice though.Once the fixed term is up they can be given notice though.^

That's true - but if it's that damp, I wouldn't want to stay past that point anyway if I had any choice. Black mould and damp is really, really bad for anyone, especially children.

Me either, but the op says all the issues were documented in the inventory

Agree with a lot of PP’s in terms of dealing with condensation. Definitely do not withhold rent. Yes to being careful to documenting and sending through details of all issues.

I would also ask though if the LL has followed other rules - did you have a proper Shorthold Assured Tenancy agreement, has your deposit been protected and have you had the required leaflet confirming this and have you had the gas certificate? If not then a section 21 (possession notice) will fail to be upheld in court.

I missed that - should have read more carefully! But it doesn't matter if it's in the inventory or not if it's bad enough to be a health hazard - unfit conditions aren't rendered lawful because someone admits they exist. Actually if it's all detailed (wet walls, black mould from structural damp etc) then that could support the OP's argument. Depends on whether it's actively unhealthy, or just a PITA and needs some tlc, I suppose. If it's just a scruffy older house that takes a lot of heating in very wet weather, then that's not an issue in the same way.

Never withhold rent! If you want to be evicted that is the key way to do it.

I hope you did take pictures of the state of the house. We had a form to fill in within a week or two I think. I took lots of pictures which are very handy when you are moving out as an evidence. Send the form and the pictures to the agent.
I bet the landlord, took the deposit from the previous tenants but didn't use it on the house but rather on himself. I once had a similar problem. Spent two weeks crying because of cleaning. The poundstrechers and B and M sell dehumidifiers for a few pounds. They are so good. Something like this www.bmstores.co.uk/products/dehumidifiers-4-x-250g-321193

The landlord has 30 days to put things right, especially black mould. You can let them know after that time you will not pay rent.

Hmm. I'm struggling not to state the obvious here but here goes:

You got a big house that was a bargain and now you're unhappy that it's not the standard of accommodation you're used to?

With all due respect, you saw the house, you were aware of the issues and you still took it. Why? Old character houses - particularly those with single glazing will probably have issues and in truth there's likely very little the landlord can do to fix them. If there's something obvious causing the damp then they could maybe sort it but it could just be bad building standards from when it was built!

Why not do yourself and your LL a favour and agree with them to break the lease and you find yourself a newer property without any issues because it's very unlikely even if they try, they'll be able to fix all the issues to the standard of a new build property.

Do NOT withhold rent. Keep the property in reasonable condition while you are there and use the 6 month tenancy period to find somewhere else. Then move. Landlords aren't always very motivated to sort problems while they have a tenant in the property because they are getting their rent and spending money o endless repairs just depletes their income. Really conscientious LLs won't let a property that is in a right state - they'll put in double glazing or sort the issues where they can, so you can see from your current house how much of a toss they give. Which is a shame but it's not the end of the world.

I live somewhere similar and it's such a massive pain in the arse. Mould and damp are so mentally tiring to deal with. You've been given some nice advice upthread on how to cope with the issues while you are there, and I completely understand the feeling of deflated sadness when you realise you have accidentally rented something a bit crap because you were desperate. Think of it as a stepping stone house and try not to let it get inside your head too much. I think a second dehumidifier would probably help. I'm off to look up this magical HG mould spray!

The landlord has 30 days to put things right, especially black mould. You can let them know after that time you will not pay rent. That isn't how it works. Please don't do this!

Black mould is usually down to lifestyle. OP has detailed somethings which are not, they are for the LL to put right, however until they have been informed, given chance to rectify or said they will not, and OP has gone through the council to get an order the LL doesn't have a specific deadline... even after it will take more time, more pressure. There is no 30 day deadline:

www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/landlord-insurance/knowledge-centre/running-your-property/landlord-responsibilities-property-maintenance-repairs

OP has at least 3 choices, given that the rest of her family love the house, the area etc:

1. Decide to make the best of it, work with the LL/LA and turn that big, cheap, damp house into a home
2. Work with the LL, see if they will release them from the contract and move again
3. Sit in it and sulk, do nothing proactive just complain and be miserable

Given that she has said they have no money for another move; that the LL did't seem aware of the issues and that the rest of the family like the house, I would imagine that 1 is probably going to be her best bet!

why are you guys putting up with these living conditions
it’s bad fir your health
it’s not 1800
move

Sorry Rhubarb

www.amazon.co.uk/HG-186050106-Mould-Spray/dp/B000IU40HQ?tag=mumsnetforum-21

I didn't believe it would be any different to any other mould spray, or just bleach and water. After 5 years of regular attacks with Dettol etc I used HG mould in our old rented house which was quite run down, in the middle of a field with an open cellar that flooded every year! I only had to use it 1 or 2 times a year, usually after a cellar flooding.

When we moved and bought out new / old house, timber framed, Tudor and single glazed, the windows were disgusting. They sold cheap to get their kids out of the mould! I used HG mould spray twice, either end of the first winter and haven't had to use it since - 5 years and counting.

So now I am almost evangelical about it

Don't move to the Cotswolds, nanny

I see very posh houses every day and they too have black spot mould around their windows, some across walls too. It is not at all unusual round here.

Caveat emptor!

Problems like this aren't unusual in old houses.

Don't assume the landlord knows. Write to him with a list of the issues and ask him how he intends to proceed with the repairs.

You’re getting some very good advice on here - good luck! Just wanted to send motivation and sympathy - rented lots of places - still rent and is tough to get over the feeling of a landlord making money off you feeling miserable but hope you can get yours to see reason about long term maintenance of property. 💐