CF Landlord?

[Peoniesandcream]

We've been renting this flat for a few years. Until recently no massive problems, contacted the LL in Dec to say the mould in our bedroom has got worse this year despite opening windows and using expensive dehumidifiers. Their answer was to clean the mould with a special agent, use a sealant and re paint, which we did. Last month the mould is back, the windows are sopping wet every morning as they are old with wooden rather than PVC outside layers. Inspection done and agent said windows need replacing. Suddenly LL transfers maintenance to agents and they say LL is unhappy with our garden having one bin bag (full of clothes) in the garden so we assure them it's since been removed, show them pics of our clean and tidy garden. Then they're unhappy with us using the outside storage space, wany to know what we're storing and say its an eyesore for neighbours 🤨. I replied we are storing what we already told them, weights, gym equipment, garden furniture etc there, it was there when we moved in and if they had a problem with it, why build it in the first place? Their answer is we are using it excessively and gave us notice to leave. The only times we have called them previously is when the boiler stops working and instead of replacing they send round an unqualified friend to temporarily fix it. My 2yo DS has an ongoing cough and I'm sure it's related to mould. AIBU or is my LL?

The landlord but if you can afford to move then just look for somewhere better.

@headabovetheparakeet we're already looking I just think it would be less hassle for them to sort new windows rather than make up stuff, kick us out and get new tenants.

The LL is. It sounds like he doesn't want to pay for new windows and because you are insisting, he wants rid of your so he can patch it up and paint over th mould before he moves other tenants in....
He is an idiot because if you were other wise good tenants, paid on time, took care of the house, were there for the long term, he would be daft to do this. But maybe he is planning to imcrease the rent at the same time.
Not a lot you can do if he wants you to go I'm afraid

@1000yellowdaisies that's exactly what I'm thinking. Rent round here is crazy so they'll without a doubt increase rent but come next winter the new tenants will be saying the exact same thing. Can I refer to environmental health for this?

Usually condensation at those levels is caused by the behaviour of whoever is living in the flat. The moisture that's condensing onto the windows must have been put into the air somehow. It's usually by a combination of boiling pans, drying washing and showering without enough ventilation. The landlord probably suspects that you are responsible rather than the building, and wants you out for that reason.

I don't know why the agents are making up weak excuses to evict you. They can serve s.21 notice without giving any reason once the shorthold period of the tenancy has expired.

Sorry didn't mean to aim my last question directly at you personally

@PurpleCarpets I understand that but the agents themselves said the cause is the windows and its structural rather than behavioural. It's in the bedroom only so no pans/ showers and extractor fans are in most other rooms anyway. Im not NT so I take things personally sometimes.

Ignore purplecarpets. All landlords insist that renters cause damp. Everyone I know who has had issues with it when renting has had no problems when they’ve bought houses later It’s poor maintenance, old buildings converted in to flats in ways that don’t suit the age of the building and using cheap bodge jobs to cover it up that makes so many rental properties damp.

Thats awful OP abd definitely sounds like a revenge eviction. I would look to see if there is an acorn tenants rights union locally to you, they're amazing and can help you negotiate (put pressure on ) your landlord.

@NurseNeerDoWell

Ignore purplecarpets. All landlords insist that renters cause damp. Everyone I know who has had issues with it when renting has had no problems when they’ve bought houses later It’s poor maintenance, old buildings converted in to flats in ways that don’t suit the age of the building and using cheap bodge jobs to cover it up that makes so many rental properties damp.

I think its a bit of both tbh. I live in what sounds like a similar building, old, wooden windows etc. Its also a very small studio, and by keeping all windows closed, they get steamed up just from breathing, without washing or showers!

That said, I keep a window open 24/7, and never get any issues. My upstairs neighbour moaned to me about mould and showed me her bathroom - she didn't have the fan on ever...

My DM has a big house with PVC windows, but they are old. Every morning she had condensation and was worried about mould, and clothes in wardrobes and drawers would start to have a musty smell after a while. She's about to replace all the windows anyway but has started leaving a small top window open in my old bedroom 24/7 and suddenly has no issues with condensation.

My point is your landlord sounds shitty, but ventilation is key and not something he can do anything about, thats down to you as the renter.

[quote Peoniesandcream]@PurpleCarpets I understand that but the agents themselves said the cause is the windows and its structural rather than behavioural. It's in the bedroom only so no pans/ showers and extractor fans are in most other rooms anyway. Im not NT so I take things personally sometimes.[/quote]
Definitely don't take it personally @Peoniesandcream - for the landlord it's just business, and it sounds like you'll do better out of the move anyway.

In your situation, I would call in Environmental Health from your local authority. They can inspect, and insist the landlord remedy the issues causing damp and condensation. It could be a simple matter of drilling trickle vents into older double glazing, or installing brick vents. There maybe a minor water leak somewhere. While you may leave, it would be an appropriate measure to ensure that onward tenants do not suffer from the health risks of the property. Renting properties below E in the EPC rating is not legal, in most cases. You can check on the Government Find an EPC website. If the landlord is not located there, report to Trading standards.

You can actually call the LA and explain the situation and they will get their Environmental Protection team to do an assessment. If LL found to be in breach of health and safety re the mould (which LL likely is) then you can get your rent back. Legal precedents have been set on this.

Check, for example:
england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/damp_and_mould_in_rented_homes#:~:text=The%20council%20could%20order%20your,a%20risk%20to%20your%20health.

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

You have legal rights here for both the mould and revenge eviction, please seek legal advice.
Lots of free advice available including CAB.

And please be careful with touching the mould, it can make you very very sick, trust me I know..

Best of luck.

It never ceases to amaze me that a landlord will spend thousands on property and then do nothing to the fabric of the building to protect their investment, basically devaluing it.
I agree with what @scoobydoo1971 says. I would also suggest that you look at Shelter's website for more information about your rights as a tenant.

Thank you everyone for your advice! I knew The wise MN would have some knowledge on this. I'm more worried about my lo tbh, its a health risk. I do open windows as well as I said @TibetanTerrah

Your landlord, like most, is a twat.

Unfortunately they don't have to give a reason to evict using Section 21, but it's only valid if they've met a lot of criteria first england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/section_21_eviction/how_to_check_a_section_21_notice_is_valid

You can report this to the Environmental Health, which may provide some temporary protection from eviction england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/revenge_eviction_if_you_ask_for_repairs If nothing else, hopefully it will stop the LL inflicting these conditions on some other unfortunate person.

You might like to consider joining the Acorn tenants union, but unfortunately it will be wise to start looking for a new property

@Headabovetheparakeet

The landlord but if you can afford to move then just look for somewhere better.

This ^^

But also

The only times we have called them previously is when the boiler stops working and instead of replacing they send round an unqualified friend to temporarily fix

That is illegal (and dangerous). You can report your landlord. Also he can't evict with a Section 21 if there's no gas safe certificate (annual safety check by a gas safe registered landlord).

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

It’s poor maintenance, old buildings converted in to flats in ways that don’t suit the age of the building and using cheap bodge jobs to cover it up that makes so many rental properties damp.

Yes it is. I lived in a flat in Bath - they are all listed 3 and 4 storey damp Georgian mould pits that were not built to be one flat per floor. In the time we lived there the window frames actually rotted, to the point we glued the wood back onto the glass. After we left they replaced the windows and whacked £150 on the rent.

@PurpleCarpets

Usually condensation at those levels is caused by the behaviour of whoever is living in the flat. The moisture that's condensing onto the windows must have been put into the air somehow. It's usually by a combination of boiling pans, drying washing and showering without enough ventilation. The landlord probably suspects that you are responsible rather than the building, and wants you out for that reason.

I don't know why the agents are making up weak excuses to evict you. They can serve s.21 notice without giving any reason once the shorthold period of the tenancy has expired.

I beg to differ. I bought 4 years ago and have treated both my houses in the exact same way as all my previous rentals. Funnily enough my owned houses have never had a problem with damp or condensation.

@PurpleCarpets

Usually condensation at those levels is caused by the behaviour of whoever is living in the flat. The moisture that's condensing onto the windows must have been put into the air somehow. It's usually by a combination of boiling pans, drying washing and showering without enough ventilation. The landlord probably suspects that you are responsible rather than the building, and wants you out for that reason.

I don't know why the agents are making up weak excuses to evict you. They can serve s.21 notice without giving any reason once the shorthold period of the tenancy has expired.

If it’s cold outside but warm indoors and the windows provide poor insulation, condensation will gather on the window due to the differences in temp.

This is called a 'Revenge Eviction' and is now illegal! https://england.shelter.org.uk/housingadvice/repairs/revengeeevictioniffyouaskkforrepairs

Tory Britain

@LampLighter414

Tory Britain

Indeed! 👌🏻

@LampLighter414

Tory Britain

This.

I never got mould when Tony Blair was in power.

Under Thatcher I had furry growth all down my stairs. And it was blue.

@purplecarpets 😂