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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my landlady should compensate me - Clothes moths

76 replies

Riesling · 19/01/2019 22:46

Hi. I am seeking some advice on this.

I have been renting a room for one year and about 2 months ago I found my favourite Ralph Lauren dress has lots of holes. Straight away I checked the wardrobe and found out cloth moth larvae and my precious wool coat and another Ralph Lauren jacket were completely destroyed by clothes moths.

I talked about this to my landlady and she said " oh I am so sorry but the thing is there are lots of moths in London and my friends are going through the same!"

And then she bought me some moth killers and sticky stuff to catch moths but they are still flying around in my room.
I vacuumed the room day and night and put some clothes into the tumble dryer but no luck

When she was away over Xmas holiday I sent an email saying that how much I was distressed and my clothes were the gift from my family member etc. She said " Ok, I will discuss with you later" but instead off of sudden, she asked me to leave within a month as her cousin is coming to stay.

The thing is I had already paid the rent in full this month and she gave me a notice. Now I am feeling she is really sly(I dont believe her cousin is coming) and it is unfair. She should compensate my clothes damaged?

What is best way to deal with to deal with this? Can I get any help from the council etc?

FYI I have an en-suite room but she let another lodger use my bathroom without my agreement. We did not have a written contract and I should move out next Sunday.

Any advice would be appreciated.

OP posts:
HavelockVetinari · 19/01/2019 22:48

Grin nice try

Willthisdoo · 19/01/2019 22:49

I don’t think you can expect compensation for the moths - I think ultimately it’s your job to guard your clothes against them. But regardless of whether you have a written agreement I think she needs to give you more notice by law - I would speak to someone at Shelter who can give you free advice on this. And if you’ve already paid this month and don’t stay the whole month because she’s kicked you out then she most definitely should be returning money to you.

TheSandgroper · 19/01/2019 22:51

I can’t help you on the housing front but do start cycling all your clothes through the freezer. It’s the only way to kill the eggs otherwise it’s just going to carry on.

LaurieFairyCake · 19/01/2019 23:05

You're a lodger and not a tenant so that means you have very few rights.

And certainly I can't see any possible way you're entitled to clothes compensation as unfortunately moths are a common problem.

MirriVan · 19/01/2019 23:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gettingbackonmyfeet · 19/01/2019 23:13

I think you are being a bit ridiculous

No it's not pleasant but these things happen and unless you believe she is keeping the house in a truly disgusting state you are being precious

She tried to help by buying the moths stuff and attaching that level of sentiment to clothes bought by a family member...is just well.. seriously ?

I suspect she was sick of the winging

By all means challenge if it puts you into hardship in terms of moving ...she should be very fair to you on that

Compensation for clothes ? Remarkably entitled of you

BejamNostalgia · 19/01/2019 23:19

My parents are in London. They had moths. The landlady needs to get the whole place treated.

She’s not liable for your clothes. If the infestation started 10 months after you moved in and centres around your wardrobe, it’s likely you bought in whatever caused it anyway. It’s not her responsibility you chose expensive clothes either.

If she doesn’t get the flat properly treated, move and boil wash all your clothes.

Enidblyton1 · 19/01/2019 23:20

YABU I’m afraid.
We rented out a country cottage for a while and there were often problems with moths. It’s not the landlords responsibility to keep moths away - it’s yours. You can buy cedar moth rings/balls etc very cheaply from a local hardware shop. Stick them in wardrobes and drawers. Remember to replace them every 6 months. And in case that doesn’t stop the moths, keep any wool (especially cashmere) in airtight containers/bags. I’ve lost a few items over the years, but finally managed to find a system which works.
Yes it’s annoying, but you can’t pin it on your landlord.

BarbarianMum · 19/01/2019 23:21

I think it might be your job to protect your clothes with mothballs!

StrawberrySquash · 19/01/2019 23:25

Go to Robert Dyas, buy some moth repellant and they will go. Keep it topped up or they will come back.

BarbarianMum · 19/01/2019 23:28

Oh and not to point out the bleeding obvious but cloth moths can fly. You dont have to import them yourself (though of course you can), they can fly in through an open window.

Original poster
Riesling · 20/01/2019 08:32

The kitchen is full of Moths and I had to throw my food away. This is a nightmare.

OP posts:
hamandpease · 20/01/2019 08:36

Surely you're happy to move then?

Jarstastic · 20/01/2019 15:01

It’s not the landlady’s responsibility.
And if she lives there if she for example wore all acrylic and you wore wool and cashmere and didn’t know to use anti moth repellents or wore wool or cashmere and put back in your wardrobe with your clean clothes, it would definitely be you that brought them in.

WetWipesGoInTheBin · 20/01/2019 15:24

They aren't necessarily the same insects in the kitchen and your wardrobe.

Also in London and the rest of the UK most of the housing stock is over 50 years old and is more like 100 years plus. Therefore houses will have a lot of insects in them however much you clean them. (I've found a long trail of ants in my house one summer trying to find food. In the end they found a glass of squash I had fallen asleep next to so they were easy to erridicate. )

You need to learn how to store your stuff properly whether it's food e.g store rice, pasta and cereals in air tight containers or clothes.

Confusedbeetle · 20/01/2019 15:32

Moths fly in the window. Of course you have no redress

minniemoll · 20/01/2019 16:16

So when you move, with your clothes full of moth eggs, which then hatch and infest the house you've moved to, you'll be happy to compensate any other residents for damage to their clothes?

ZogTheOrangeDragon · 20/01/2019 16:23

YABU but, based on your description of the house, why would you want to stay?

mothertruck3r · 20/01/2019 16:28

Report her anonymously to HMRC (do you know if she is paying tax on the rent you pay)?

SenoritaViva · 20/01/2019 16:28

Yabu to want compensation

bridgetreilly · 20/01/2019 16:40

Flying moths aren't doing any harm to your clothes. It's the moth larvae which eat them. And it's a thing that can happen any time. There is absolutely no reason why a landlady should offer you any compensation for that. Freezing your clothes is an easy and effective way to destroy any remaining moth eggs/larvae.

Ultramic · 20/01/2019 16:45

Report her anonymously to HMRC (do you know if she is paying tax on the rent you pay)?

Well you're a nice one, aren't you? Hmm

OP your clothes are your responsibility, if there was a moth problem you should have reported it to your landlady before any damage was caused. It's not her responsibility and I'm not surprised she's given you notice because you've been unreasonable.

Being a good tenant isn't just about paying the rent. It's about taking responsibility and being fair.

londonrach · 20/01/2019 16:46

Yabu.

Fightingfit2019 · 20/01/2019 16:50

Yabu

MereDintofPandiculation · 20/01/2019 16:51

The kitchen is full of Moths and I had to throw my food away. This is a nightmare. Why did you have to throw your food away?

Can you actually recognise a clothes moth? (as opposed to the other 2500 species of moth in the UK?)

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