Ongoing battle with landlord (well, estate agent) re washing

[blackswan29]

Looking for a sense check please as I feel like I’m losing my mind!!

We rent a ground floor flat and have been drying our washing outside the front of the property on a clothes horse. We’ve now been told by property management that we MUST not dry washing outside and should instead dry it indoors or “even in the bathroom”.

The issue is.. we already have mould and condensation problems. Before going on holiday recently we wiped everything down and came back to visible mould across multiple areas (and we sent photos to them).
Our bathroom is tiny (no bath, barely floor space for a clothes horse) and the extractor fan is not even working properly. Property management say the landlord thinks it was replaced, but they have no records and are now asking us to confirm.

We have contacted them multiple times about this and their only solutions are:

• Open windows “even only ajar” (in winter, with rising energy bills, on a ground floor flat with fire windows that don’t latch). We’re out all day every day for work so this is completely out of the question.
• Buy multiple small dehumidifiers ourselves and place them around the windows (yes, we have to purchase them ourselves!!)

They’ve also acknowledged that other flats in the same block are drying washing outside — I’ve seen at least three — but say they “won’t discuss other properties” and are only concerned with ours, which feels pretty targeted.

We’re paying high rent, already ventilating as much as realistically possible (trickle vents open 24/7, heating set appropriately), and now being told to dry washing inside despite existing damp and mould. They’re also implying the cost of managing this (dehumidifiers, higher heating bills) should fall to us!!!

Am I being unreasonable in thinking it’s not fair or enforceable to ban drying washing outside purely due to ‘aesthetics’ (they’ve not given us a better reason). And they can’t insist we dry it inside when it’s actively worsening mould
This feels like a landlord/property issue, not the fault of our lifestyle!

Would love thoughts, especially if anyone’s dealt with similar.

Condensation and mould are caused by inadequate ventilation.
Why wouldn’t that be for the person living in the property to manage?!

Worth potentially serious lung damage from mould? Pillock.

I know it's not completely relevant to the post as OP can clearly put their washing out the back, as they should, and so do I.

But there are plenty of times where that might not be feasible. The flats in front of me for example, only have a front communal area or small balcony, so what other choice do they have? I really can't get myself to have any feelings about it at all.

People being bothered by seeing some washing is giving me really snobby vibes to be honest. Like the poors daren't put their ugly holey clothes outside for the world to see.

It also means they can hold you responsible for the mould damage to the blinds etc and withhold your deposit.
Keep a record of all correspondence with them.

Can you get a tumble dryer?

Is moving not an option?

I would ask them, quoting this clause from the contract, where the designated drying area IS for your flat, given you cannot dry anything indoors due to that clause.

And then if they cannot tell you where that is, I'd dry stuff at the laundrette, or on airers wherever you fancy outside, and send all the photos of black mould to the local authority who licence landlords and can take action if properties are not fit to live in - black mould is a hot topic with them these days!

Be particularly good if you have it in writing that the block management are advising you to do something your tenancy agreement/contract specifically states you must not do (dry indoors).

Contact an ombudsman, or look for “renters rights” https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/damp_mould_social_housing/contact_social_landlord_damp_problems

Lots of leasehold properties (blocks of flats) have clauses on drying washing at the front of the building. So if the landlord lets a rental occupant dry washing outside the landlord would be breaching the terms of their lease with the freeholder.
I'd advise you use one of those drying racks that's like in its own little tent and get a de humidifier in room you put it in

Tbh your landlord sounds shit but I would buy a dehumidifier anyway. I bought one when I moved into my first ground floor flat and it is still going strong almost 20 years later. They are not that expensive to run and the amount of moisture they suck out of the area is unbelievable. Once the air is dry in your flat it will feel much warmer.

All you need to do is hang your clothes on an airer ideally in a small room with all the windows and doors shut. Then the dehumidifier should dry your clothes reasonably quickly.

Shes been told where the drying area is.

Can you buy a tumble dryer with a hose you can hang out of the window while using it? That would solve a lot of your problems assuming you have somewhere to put it. Alternatively, is there a launderette anywhere in your vicinity where you could use the dryers?

Obviously no problem with drying outside - is it that you are drying outside the front of the property rather than the back, some management companies don’t like that.

Most flats have something within the lease hold re drying washing outside flats and on balconies. That’s pretty standard even if not in your tenancy agreement. (That’s on the letting agent/LL for not including it) that said you’re living in. Mouldy flat. They need to offer you dehumidifiers and not expect you to foot the bill, (it is after al in their best interest to protect their investment and most importantly let a safe environment)
keep everything in writing , request the LL provides dehumidifiers in writing and if not support go to your council environmental health ask & for their support
im in the same position, ridiculously high rent and mould everywhere. I’m cleaning with rubbing alcohol (bleach makes it worse) I’ve had to throw expensive boots/shoes/bags/coats/ kitchen pans/food all sorts, my LL provided me the standard common sense advice and 2 dehumidifiers.
im trying to find a new home but everywhere is beyond expensive and 40 odd people are applying for each one :(

Threaten them with legal action over the mould and damp

If there is outside space then there should be approval, even encouragement, to dry outside. Why should the landlord deny a basic need like that. I hope you get them to see sense. Maybe rally all the residents to write a letter to the LL citing the environmental and health angle?

It’s normal to get a humidifier if you are getting mould - get a decent one that is a big enough size. I wouldn’t expect the landlord to pay for that.
it will make your flat feel warmer too.

a dehumidifier might solve your problem. . Leaving it at the front of the property isn’t ideal. In the bathroom with windows open on a secure latch is also an alternative.

We have the same thing for the flat we own, it's very common. The management company do enforce it.
I'd imagine the agent is only tackling you because he doesn't manage the other rental flats, only yours.
We have a very efficient dehumifier which we use in a large tank cupboard and it works very well. I am also a landlord and did buy an inexpensive dehumidifier for one of our tenants who refused to open the windows when they were using the washer/dryer which we provided with the flat. Even a small one can make a difference.

I once lived in a property where one of the terms of the lease was no washing outside. It may be this isn’t up to the landlord

This is probably to do with the management company of the building/freeholder.
When I bought my own flat it was written in the lease/title that we could not hang washing outside the flats.
Therefore it’s probably not even up to your landlord if it’s a privately owned flat. I also had problems with condensation & mold too.
Best advice I can give is ventilate as much as possible & I ran a dehumidifier whilst drying my washing inside.

The mould is a health issue. Go to your local Citizens Advice as they can help on how you can take this up with the council Housing Department.

I'm afraid a lot of management companies for private tenants are like this. Seems against the rules.My husband and I rented a very nice flat years ago when we sold our house and couldn't find anywhere to buy immediately. We had the same issue and everyone was incredibly stuck up. (I got told off for driving at 23 mph on the grounds for heavens sake!)

Never rented before that or since but aside from that, I have an excellent Meako dehumidifier that helps to dry my washing very quickly. If you can invest in one, it will help greatly.

Good luck x

New renter rights Bill comes in in may. All tenancies rolling contracts with tenants giving 2 months notice so you don't have to stay until October.
In your shoes I would buy a dehumidifier.
I've recently bought one for a room that doesn't get used much in winter and i was shocked how much moisture was in the air

What does it say in your tenancy agreement? Some stipulate to not have washing drying outside in the front of the property and things like that. If it says absolutely nothing about drying washing outside then I would tell the estate agent/landlord to jog on personally and remind them that you are not in breach of your contract.