I have sever damp and mould for years

[saraali12]

I moved to this house seven years ago, and it has severe damp issues. I believe it's caused by rising damp, as everything that touches the floor ends up with damp growing in it. I believe the council is aware of the problem, not just with this house but with neighbouring houses as well. I believe they are not sharing the information or gaslighting me As soon as you walk in, you can smell the strong, musty dampness that never goes away. It improves slightly in the summer, but as soon as winter arrives, the musty smell becomes overwhelming. We store our clothes in boxes and don't sleep in the bedroom. Three years ago, I moved in with family so the council could carry out the work. They rebuilt the flooring and walls from scratch. However, a couple of months after I returned, the damp came back

Do you have a housing officer?
Have you gone through the complaints process or the ombudsman?
Have you contacted Shelter?

The housing officer attended and wrote an email to the repairs team. The repairs team is offering to do a mold wash, but that won’t get rid of the smell. Mold grows quickly on everything in the bedroom, and I have furniture covered in green mold. I’m certain that most of the houses in my area have damp problems since we are close to a river, but nothing like what I’m experiencing in my house. I have a feeling they know there’s a bigger issue with the house, but they are not sharing it or addressing it.I filed a complaint last year, but they are only processing it now because the Housing Ombudsman asked them to

So you've been through the complaints process and it's with the ombudsman? If you're still not happy contact your local MP.

Yes, the complaint is with the ombudsman. My concern is that there is a bigger issue with the house, which the landlord is not sharing with the ombudsman. As I mentioned, they offered to do a damp wash on the walls with black mold, but I’ve had a strong musty smell in the house for years now. Everything in the bedroom ends up with mold growing on it. My nose has become accustomed to the damp smell, but other people can smell it on me and my children. I can't take a photo of the smell, so it's hard to prove. It's the same issue in two other houses next to us

I suggest you contact Shelter for advice as mould is meant to be dealt with very seriously. Can you look for an exchange?

Op contact environmental health at your local council??? They can take step's to make the landlord do the necessary repairs. Is it a private landlord or social housing??

What Shelter does really in these situations? What Shelter will do if we are having a mortgage for example?

They can advise on the law, what legislation and policies the council should follow, what the OP should do next. Perhaps signpost to other organisations who can help. Advise her on what to say and who to approach.

I suggest you call them and ask about your mortgage as I don't know what advise you're after.

Do you mean if you own your own home but have damp issues? In that instance not a lot - you’re responsible for maintaining your own home if you’re a home owner. It’s different if you’re a tenant.

Its council house. My apologies I previously said it was a housing association, but unfortunately, they only monitor other properties, not council houses.

I mean that's what the council suggests, but I believe they should address the problem properly or move me if they can't solve it. That being said, in the winter all you can smell is damp. The radiators (which they installed three years ago) are rusting. The problem with the house is obvious, and you can't hide it.

To be honest OP, this has gone on for so long and is so detrimental to your health, that I would look to move.

In my opinion, your next step is an MP, then legal advice.

All of the above, plus if you can afford one in the meantime but a dehumidifier.