Condensation. PLEASE HELP!!

[figandmaple16]

I live in a 2 bed flat with my son. This place has shitty single glazed windows with wooden frames. There is mould EVERYWHERE, on the window sill, frame, walls! and some slimy gunk that forms at the bottom of the window. Ive scrubbed it off with bleach, painted it with anti mould paint, I try to clean condensation off regularly, the place is not very air tight at ALL so plenty of ventilation as there is about half an inch gap under the front door, the windows are constantly blowing in cold air (I live in Scotland and its FREEZING right now) my sons window actually had icicles on it the other day from frozen condensation and there are gaps to under the floor all under the skirting board in the kitchen (which are too high). The heating is electric and I can't afford to have the heating on all the time and its on about 2 hrs a day and then as soon as its off the place is freezing again..
I keep reading about how condensation is the tenant responsibility but I am at a loss of what else I can do. I keep the kitchen window open, reluctantly when I cook, and I have the shitty windows open in the bathroom anytime we take a shower but mould still accumulates on the ceiling. There is no extractor fan in there.
I can't afford a dehumidifier. Ive tried those moisture box things and they get some but barely put a dent on the condensation so I gave up with those.
I am at my wits end, I hate calling the landlady because she is so rude and the last time I reported a problem (after I moved in) when the floor board in the bathroom beside the bath started to crumble like weetabix under my feet, she had the absolute nerve to say 'I never had this problem with the last tenants, did you overflow the bath?' my son and I couldn't even take baths at the time because the water pressure on the hot water was so low it came out in little dribbles.. She ended up replacing the boiler because thats what the problem was.
Anyway, I am just at my wits end, this place is a stinking mess and I don't know what to do about it.

Also, I should mention, there is no place to dry clothes outside, I have to dry clothes inside and on the radiator as the clothes won't dry otherwise since this place is so damp and cold. Which I know contributes to condensation but even when I'm not drying clothes there is ALWAYS condensation on the windows.

I am by no means an expert, but I've lived in damp houses and have just literally paid out thousands to try and fix my own problem.
Dry your clothes in one room only, I favor the bath room, I put my clothes horse in the bathtub, opened the bathroom window and CLOSED the bathroom door to keep the damp i one room. Seriously think about buying a drying buddy (JML) I bought one and it was life changing, I put mine in my outhouse that had electric to keep the dampness out of the house.
When you cook use lids on all pans, open a window, close the kitchen door, when you've finished leave the window open and the door closed.
Kercher do a window vac that suckd up wetness on windows.
Do not close the bedroom doors when sleeping as the room will get very moist from the liquid on your breath.
To fix my condensation problem I got new double glazing fitted as I too had single pane glass which was shit and wet everyday in the colder months, the new double glazing with vents did not fix the issue, I was so gutted, I then had to fork out another shit load of money as I had a company come out and they said all my guttering needed fixing. Fingers crossed it will help. The problem is these days that a lot of properties cannot breath, my house has cavity wall insulation which I think adds to problem as all the heat, cold and moisture just hangs around in the house.
If I were you op I'd demand someone comes to diagnosis the problem. Do yiu have an agency you rented through?

Sorry about the typos.

Is there anyway to save for a dehumidifier or ask for your landlady to provide one? I have just bought one and not only has it combatted the moisture problem, it has in turn made the house much warmer!

I used to have draughty windows and would stuff the cracks with news paper which helped.

For dying clothes can you do an extra spin cycle so they are dryer when they come out of the machine then hang on a clothes horse next to a radiator rather than on?

If there is serious mould I would consider involving environmental health as mould spores are damaging and can cause long term respiratory problems.

I should add also single glazed here.

I also lived in a house that had green foamy mould about a metre up the walls, and the ceiling in the bedroom would drip water onto the bed every morning, luckily we rented this place and moved out a month early due to these issues. I spoke to the land lord, said I wanted to leave and that I was moving out, cancelled my direct debit and left! Not the best way to approach it but all ended up good in the end.

A dehumidifier will help your situation so much. When I had the council technical inspector out about my mould in my sons room he said it was being caused by drying my washing inside, cooking etc.

If you look on your local selling pages you can pick up one cheaply. I got a nearly new £150 one for £25. People buy them for a reason and then don't need them anymore.

Since getting one I've had no condensation on my windows. When drying washing I put it on for an hour and the amount of water it collects is unbelievable. I agree my flat is much warmer now the dampness has gone. I only put it on a couple of times a week. They usually having a drying washing setting.

Your landlord may be able to get one for you.

@BusterGonad
I cant dry them in one room, I have to put them on the heaters as putting them on the drier doesn't dry them at all, I can leave it for 2 days, next to the heater with nothing on it and it just starts to stink and I have to wash it again. I always always put it on a fast spin at the end too. I have a condenser tumble drier too, (recently got it) but even that didn't solve the problem.
The bathroom has two very small rectangular windows and the bathroom is far too small for it, I couldn't get a pee if my drier was in there! I did buy a heated drying rack thing but even that didn't bloody dry the clothes, and I but them on two spins, the spin at the end of a cycle then an additional one..
I don't have a kitchen door, there was never one there.. And I do open the window overtime I cook as I usually cook on the hob and oven..
Everything you have suggested is what I have seen on countless websites for months while I try to finally sort this out. I know that under the building has damp and stagnant water, could this be it? The walls are also brick.. Should I go under and look myself? I honestly can not see how ventilation is the issue here, the air is thin and cold like outside , there are so many gaps like under the front door that let cold air in 24/7 and the windows are extremely airy. Sorry if it seams like I am shoving advice back but I feel like I've tried everything. I'm looking into getting the council to come up and have inspections, I don't even have an EPC or that, I was never shown one either. I saw the flat on gumtree, had a viewing with the previous tenants who had all their furniture there, I couldn't really see the place.. It was my first viewing.. The landlady had never been here, I've met her once in the near 4 years I've been here. I am honestly ready to leave but I can't find anywhere, and I am on associations waiting list with medical points.

I wish I could do what you did!! But I am a full time student, at both college and university (to move myself along quicker) with a young son with medical issues. He has an autoimmune disease and honestly I'm pretty sure its because of this place.

Tell us more about the stangent water op. Sounds strange that nothing ever dries, even on a heated apoliance. I would get the health inspectors around if I were you. It all sounds very dodgy.

Right, so I've reread your last post, you've literally got a flat that's dripping wet, we are not talking about moist air. Dry clothes get wet in the flat. Are your walls wet? Do books go mouldy? Does leather turn green? Are your bed clothes cold and damp to the touch?

OP you'll both get ill living in those conditions.
You need to put your foot down with whoever is responsible.

Get the health inspectors out, there's condensation and there's dripping wet. I stayed in a hotel (myanmar) once where everything was wet, the bed covers, towels etc. The walls were damp. We checked out the next morning!!!
It's a disgrace that in a 1st world country someone thinks it's acceptable to rent out such a place (your apartment obv) I'm guessing the land lady doesn't use an agent as they'd all condem the place.

Op if you do manage to leave the place please go through an agent, they do care about the tenants and (most) have standards.

In houses I’ve lived in with single glazing I’ve wiped all the condensation off the windows every morning.
Don’t dry any washing in the house, can you take it to the laundrette?
Don’t boil things on the hob, try microwaving veg as it uses less water.
If the walls are solid, rather than cavity, and they are cold condensation will form on them. If the house is warmer or the temperature outside is warmer it won’t happen. It’s an issue with the type of construction in many houses.
Heating a house is a good cure but not possible with expensive electric heating. Try to generate as little moisture as possible and then move when you can.

@BusterGonad Last summer there was the most foul smell in the close. I thought something had died!! Turns out it was stagnant water underneath the building just stinking the place out. So the council put down some fragrance bombs.. absolutely stinking stuff like mens urinal sanitisers. but it was better than what it was..
There is actually no wetness on the walls funnily enough, not to touch anyway. Not that I touch the walls an awful lot but there is mould particularly bad in the corners of the wall where the window is (the window is two large windows which takes up around 60% on that side of the wall.. under the windows is like 2 plastic-y panels with wooden frames. I don't know if that make sense.. but wall on either side had bad mould. The mould actually runs from one of the corners along the whole wall following the skirting (on wallpaper, a kind of wirable wall paper thats coming off at bottom where mould is).. Thats what I am planning to do I will call the health inspector later today.. I think these flats are 60s, and most are council, though a good number are bought like this one.. All the council ones, plus all the bought ones, with exception of myself and maybe 1 or 2 others? Have newer double glazing and replacement of the bottom panels.. My neighbour friend who is in one of the council ones said when they removed the windows it was FULL of mould..
I should also mention that along the Bottom of the plastic panels on the wooden frame bit on the floor there is constantly water.. It never dries and to be honest I am giving up on constant wiping, bleaching etc.. It really should not be that much work every single day!!

@BusterGonad Yes!! it literally feels like anywhere near windows is absolutely dripping wet!! Like I can feel the moisture in my mouth almost near the window.. There are actual puddles of water from the condensation on the window sill and dripping down the frame.. I don't even have washing on the radiators or heating on right now.. Its not raining where I am.. and its pretty cold right now.. and again, I have to say this again and again, because some years ago the landladys son came for a repair (she sends her son and people she's NEVER met before from gumtree to the flat for repairs - I'm a single mum) and he told me, when it was dripping.. oh it must be ventilation, this house is the daughtiest friggen place I've ever been in, there is no problem with air circulation what so ever.. plus those little vents are open at the top too (which to be honest don't look like they do anything, like their blocked).. Sorry I am ranting because it really has me so mad right now, I've told them about condensation and mould before, telling her I was buying anti mould paint etc and she does nothing and now it is too bad I am so embarrassed for anyone to come up for it.. its disgusting!
I have recently put books on a book shelf but thats nice and dry and no dampness felt on those.. I have noticed though that when things are on the floor such as clothing, paper, books etc they all feel a bit damp when they are picked up, and have a bit of a stench.. even on the floor in my bedroom, which the carpet was stinking so bad I had to remove.. I couldn't afford another carpet so I just painted the floor panel/chipboard thing with floor paint.. The curtains on the windows are always a bit damp to the touch, one of them is a deep purple so its hard to see if theres mould, but one from living room was beige and when I replaced it I noticed black/gray mould particularly on the bottom.. The leather sofa that I had was L shape, I had it against the bit of wall next to the window and when I moved it it had like a grey mould on it.. and when I wiped it it was green grey.. It happens to anything that is in close proximity to the wall.. Ive just looked behind my bookshelf there which is against the wall at the window (with about an inch off of it as it won't go right back because of the skirting) and thats covered in spots of green Gray mould too.. The wall isn't damp but cold and musty to touch.. The whole house has a particular damp smell.. I remember the smell hitting me when I came for the viewing, I didn't know the smell of damp back then and I just thought the previous tenants were stinky people..
Dry clothes get *musty when sitting on the floor.. Bed linen at least the side closest to the window in my bedroom does. The other side doesn't.. I presume because thats the side I sleep on and it dries.. My sons bed is vertical to the window so his doesn't..

@Monty27 My son was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Juvenile arthritis and uveitis!! Perviously a very healthy boy.. Me and his dad were sure it was the environment, thinking perhaps its the cats.. but the mould was always on our mind.. Environmental factors do play a part, it is thought but not enough evidence and the disease is idiopathic meaning it has no known cause, but truly I believe these conditions were a Huge factor..

@BusterGonad Probably not.. I never even got an EPC rating! Im going to phone inspector tomorrow.. I am sick of this place. I am so stuck though on the waiting list for social housing as I can't afford private and I can't get a flat because of my sons arthritis. This place was initially supposed to be 480 pcm but I just stopped paying the 30 pound top up to HB. Thats been about 2 years now and Ive never heard a word from her about it.. Im going to take photos and speak to a lettings officer about it today too.. This is seriously affecting my sons health and my studies too.. I can barely get anything done in this house..

You shouldn't have to live like this. Contact environmental health or the council.

Document it all. Photos etc.

Right, so my house had condensation issues, and wet single pane windows. The curtains would get black spot mould due to the wet window sills, slight puddling in the corners. The walls were cold (semi detached in the country side) but never wet, the corner of the bedroom on the detached side would get black mould spots but not hugely. Bed clothes never wet or mouldy and things on the floor definitely not mouldy. One corner in the front room got slightly mouldy of you put a cabinet too close to the wall. Your flat sounds like hell on earth and the council or whom ever deals with things needs to sort out the stinking bog water which sounds like is being soaked up by your building.

In houses I’ve lived in with single glazing I’ve wiped all the condensation off the windows every morning.
Don’t dry any washing in the house, can you take it to the laundrette?
Don’t boil things on the hob, try microwaving veg as it uses less water.
If the walls are solid, rather than cavity, and they are cold condensation will form on them. If the house is warmer or the temperature outside is warmer it won’t happen. It’s an issue with the type of construction in many houses.
Heating a house is a good cure but not possible with expensive electric heating. Try to generate as little moisture as possible and then move when you can.

I do this too, but its literally dripping with condensation. so is the whole frame!! Its just not possible, plus an hour or so later more condensation forms on it again, its constant up keep and I just can't! I haven't kept up with it in a while, its a loosing battle that I just honestly don't feel like I should have to do anyway!! Not to this extend at least !

I can't take it to the laundrette, I might as well just keep the heating on all day lol.. the laundrette is pretty expensive here, plus I don't drive.. Ive taken one load of wet washing there before and my back was agony!! It wasn't so bad on the way back though..
The wall is solid, no cavity at all but not really any condensation forming.. It has a horrid wirable wallpaper on it and it is coming off in places where its mouldy, it feels cold and musty to touch.. and it stinks of damp too.. unfortunately I am not only a struggling student, I am a struggling student to a young boy, I just can't afford heating.. The electric heating is about 10 pounds a week, the water and heating in the house Is paid on a different meter than the main electric meter which is for light, shower, oven and everything else..
This is why I am here, I have been on forums here and there looking at causes of condensation, and apart from drying clothes on radiator I do everything else, I open kitchen window when cooking, open shower window, close doors etc.. Plus this house is soooooooooo draughty, I can't even put into words about how much I want to highlight this fact .. THIS HOUSE IS DRAUGHTYYYYYYYYYYY!! Lol sorry, I am going on a bit of a rant, I just feel like crying, Ive been up all night studying because I couldn't sleep thinking about how much I want and need to move..

@BabyDavid Exactly what I am doing once sun rises.. Im photographing everything.. Including the gaps that lead to under the floor because of the high skirtings, the gap under the front door, the broken window that doesn't close in my sons room that apparently is waiting for a delivery of a new window?? For around 2 weeks now. So they can't say ~yOu NeEd MoRe aIr FlOw~ believe me I am triggered by this now because its all over the websites and I have been doing literally everything in my power except a dehumidifier, but seriously imagine the electric cost of running one of those. Not to mention buying it.. And photographing all the mould and everything else thats wrong with this place other than the mould.. Im so sick of such a shitty landlord..
Anyway, as you can see I'm on a bit of a rant.

I honestly can't wait to call them tomorrow. I am also going to the council with the pictures too.. Im just waiting for my phone to charge and ill get started. Its a big relief just thinking about talking to them.. I hope I don't hit a brick wall.