Mould in rented flat

[mouldyhouse101]

Recently moved in.
6 month contract.
Clear that the whole place is filled with damp- wet walls and mould on ceiling
Severe asthma so really affecting health
How can I move without continuing to pay rent as I'll be breaking my contract early

Make sure you are doing everything you can, opening windows regularly, dehumidifier, not drying washing inside etc. then get in touch with environmental health who can serve and improvement notice on the landlord.

You should indeed contact environmental health to stop your crooked landlord renting the place out again, but I fear that nothing will happen quickly. Is the landlord aware of the issues? Wet walls could be due to structural issues (failing gutters etc). Did it look like that when you moved in? What is the EPC rating?

don't waste time with Shelter beyond looking at their online advice. They don't do anything beyond misdirected campaigns.

The landlord is aware.

Is saying it's simply condensation and because it's been recently painted....

To be fair, we got condensation mould in our bedroom in the winter. We open the windows every day, window vac the moisture off the glass (we've had new windows already) and then control it with b&q mould spray which is excellent.

If you are drying washing inside or not ventilating every day, then your LL may have a point. If you are already doing that then maybe it's one for environmental health.

A mould problem and damp problem are different things I believe. Mould i caused by condensation, so like PP had said before, a dehumidifier, ventilate, use a mould killing spray, make sure you are heating the place adequately.

And not all landlords are crooked. We rent out my DH old flat and it had black mould caused by the tenants not opening windows after showering, drying washing indoors etc. We put in a new extractor fan, new vents and provided a mould spray. Its fine now

Regarding drying washing indoors: where does everybody dry their washing in the winter if not indoors?

@LazyFace

Regarding drying washing indoors: where does everybody dry their washing in the winter if not indoors?

If you dry laundry indoors then you just have to keep a window slightly open for ventilation and wipe any condensation that gathers off the glass. Same as for showering and cooking. Most EH departments have black mould statements on their websites, advising tenants that it’s usually moisture rather than disrepair to address ventilation and condensation before contacting them.

@LazyFace I try and only wash on sunny days to get the worst of the moisture out. Tumble dry for things which can be as a second defence.

But rightly or wrongly, a LL could say you have to use a launderette if it's causing a mould issue :-(.

What is your current ventillation and heating routine?

We have black mould growing inside every winter due to condensation.
Have two dehumidifiers and doesn't solve it 100%.
I painted one room with bathroom paint and now that ceiling and wall just drips water

It's not just a rental issue, I have my own flat and this is an issue for me. There is no landlord for me to blame. I have to manage it just as others have said upthread - ventilation is key - dehumidifier, don't dry washing indoors, keep windows open especially when cooking/showering, and try and keep heating on. It's a pita but no one's fault.

Is it damp or condensation? As condensation alot more common than damp and just needs flat to be ventilated and wet items not left handing around, which is nothing to do with landlord.

[quote megafish]@LazyFace I try and only wash on sunny days to get the worst of the moisture out. Tumble dry for things which can be as a second defence.

But rightly or wrongly, a LL could say you have to use a launderette if it's causing a mould issue :-(.[/quote]
I don't use a tumble drier (still indoors though) as it's really bad for the environment. I use a heated drier and a dehumidifier.

We're renting at the moment and there's mould growing (it was here before we moved it as well) despite the dehumidifier running when not drying clothes. I'm sure there's some major issue with this house (something about pointing was mentioned at one stage).

Washing on dry days is something I was able to do when I was a sahm.

Every single window is open all day every day
All washing dried outside
Humidifier on in every room

Definitely not just condensation. Condensation doesn't cause water dropping off the water and all the wallpaper peeling off

@mouldyhouse101

Every single window is open all day every day All washing dried outside Humidifier on in every room

Definitely not just condensation. Condensation doesn't cause water dropping off the water and all the wallpaper peeling off

Do you mean a dehumidifier? It could do if walls/ceiling/windows are cold and air warmer and moist.

We have the same issue in an owned flat on the gable end wall and we are saving up for an Envirovent system but in the meantime we are managing the problem with a dehumidifier. It's a common problem in UK homes.

Sounds awful, you must be freezing op!!!

assuming you mean a DEhumidifier, that doesn't sound like 'tenant lifestyle' to me. Have a look at gutters etc when it is raining - if you can see where the water is coming in, send to the council. I'm also suspicious of the recent painting which sounds like a cover up job.

this is terrible - there is a 'decent homes' standard but as I said, no enforcement. Again, what is the EPC rating?

@mouldyhouse101

Every single window is open all day every day All washing dried outside Humidifier on in every room

Definitely not just condensation. Condensation doesn't cause water dropping off the water and all the wallpaper peeling off

What temperature are the rooms?

@SimonJT

Freezing!!! Because of all the windows being open

Going to call the estate agency tomorrow and see what steps I can take next

Cold will also cause condensation.

Sorry if I’m saying things you have done already, but what happens when the windows are open a small amount and the heating is left on to make the rooms a decent temperature?

It sounds like you are doing everything you can, sounds like a good plan to get back to the rental agency/Estate agents. Good luck

If you are doing all you can I’d write to the letting agent and advise them of the steps you have taken and that you want to see a plan for next steps to resolve by x date otherwise you’ll ha e no choice but to involve Environmental Health as the property is unfit.

Is there any colour to the water? A previous landlord of ours insisted it was condensation because we were drying clothes indoors (not that there was any other option) despite the water running down the walls being brown and sticky, until the living room ceiling partially collapsed and an inspection showed all the wooden battens in the roof had rotted away and there was no felt left. Once the roof was repaired we had no more mould issues.

My friend had the same issue with an apartment she was renting...finally the landlord decided to do something about it and offered for her to stay in the apartment while all the work was carried out but because of covid she didn't want work men being in the apartment...he also gave her the option of not serving any notice and not paying anymore rent and would get her deposit back...she decided to leave and managed to find another rented house x