Mould and smells in flat

[chocchik]

Where do I stand ?

Moved in a flat a year ago
Basement flat

Noticed last few months bad smell in bedroom. Had to throw out a mattress because it smelt awful !
Since I've found patches of damp and now a leak which is being sorted, carpets are wet and the mould has ruined my clothes I had in a open cupboard.

Letting agency have been good and sorting it
They are visiting tomorrow

Anyway since making my list of the mould issues I have found I've noticed my sofa absolutely smells awful! I thought coz drying clothes in a flat is hard I invested in a heated airer and open windows as every chance but in this weather it's so cold - the flat is cold.

But I've had shoes, bags, ruined from the leak
And how this smell I've noticed in my sofa, where do I stand if anywhere?!
Now I've noticed it I can smell it everywhere

Help !

Hi OP.

Do you have contents insurance? I presume from your post possibly not. Although if you do it might be possible to claim on that?

Perhaps speak to the letting agents tomorrow and see what they say? Or contact Shelter or Citizens Advice they might be able to give you the full legal details?

I had a similar issue in my first flat. Items had to be thrown away. Landlord wouldn't do anything about it although the mould problem kept coming back despite various visits. Mould is a bloody nightmare!

Anyways hope it gets sorted soon and sorry I couldn't give you any concrete advice. Perhaps there is a 'Housing/Property board' this could be moved to?

They are now saying because I don't leave the extractor fan on for 2-3 hours at a time they are confident that the mould is caused my condensation from the bathroom?
It's an en-suite to the bedroom

Buy a dehumidifier.

Not leaving the extractor fan on in the bathroom might cause mould on the walls of that room, but I doubt it would cause such severe problems.

Contents insurance. Don’t rent without it.

I have four dehumidifiers!
I bought one when I moved in here but have since bought another 3 lately

Yeah I just didn't think but will do in the future but I'll still have problems making a claim though and proving it which looks like I'll have problems with...

Contents insurance won't cover mold damage (it is progressive), only any immediate damage from the leak, and if you've already chucked stuff out, it's too late. Yes condensation will cause terrible damp problems. If you have no windows you can open regularly, then you need to be using the extractor fan constantly and a dehumidifier too.