Damp And Mould

[shay26]

I am a private tenant. I have an ongoing problem with damp and mould in the property i've contacted the landlord on several occasions and he just tries to fob me off. All my belongings are being ruined from this i've thrown away boxe of shoes as the damp has damaged them so bag, clothes, handbags, my sons toys, even food in the kitchen and different appliances. all the lanlord tells me to do is wash down my walls once a week or so. Everything smells musky and damp. My mattress is very damp and stinks the landlord told me this was due to body sweat. when i lived at my mothers house it never ever smelt damp musky or felt damp. The landlord was meant to be getting air bricks fitted, that was a year ago now. iIm just so sick and tired and so upset i cant have anything nice. I seriousy dont know what else i can do..? He tells me with my damaged things t just wipe them over and there be ok, but there not. nothings ok its ruining everything i own.??
Thanks in advance!

[2sp_]

I would look at moving if I were you...

In the meantime, you could try Enviromental Health. See if they can push your landlord into doing something?

[ummmm]

I assume moving isn't an option?

Phone the council. They can send someone to assess the property.

[shay26]

i have looked into moving and recently put myself on my local council register. moving from one private property to another is so expensive. i work part time and getting the money together is more difficult then it seems. I do look daily for other proerties. Its hard to find landlords that will also accept part dss. As i get help paying my rent as i dont earn enough to pay the full rent.

[2sp_]

It's such a hard position to be in, shay, you have my sympathies.

Try the EH, they should be able to help.

Good luck.

[shay26]

ive kept on top of cleaning my walls n stuff down as i have the baby well toddler now so at this moment its not terribly bad but once we start getting the colder nights and days its going to rapidly escalate. My belongins are constantly being dmaaged and the landlord just doesnt want to do anything about it

[Sipowicz]

Are you with a letting agent?

[shay26]

yeah im renting through choices estate agents. but whenever i ring them they just contact the landlord to deal with the problem

[Sipowicz]

Make sure all your dealings are recorded. Maybe contact Citizens advice for advice, good luck.

[shay26]

I've contacted them before and they say unless anyone is affected health wise from it, there's not much they can do. And no ones health is really affected by it, well it hasn't been that's not to say when it starts coming back bad it won't. As I keep ontop of it this could be why no ones health is effected

[2sp_]

You say you have a baby and a toddler, is the post natal Health Visitor still involved with your family?

Phone them, ask for a visit at home. Let them see the state of the place, and ask if they can help with pushing the Landlord on the health risk issue.

[shay26]

No I have a toddler his 19months but I call him a baby. I never thought of contacting the health visitor I only ever saw then once but I'm sure I can get in contact with the area health visitor
Thank you

[2sp_]

I know my 2 year old has only just be "released" from the HV care. Not that we ever saw her! They should surely be able to help.

Good luck.

[buildersmate]

Apart from the EH involvement above, the other suggestion is the hire of An industrial dehumidifier. These things are the size of a small refrigerator, and from what you say you will get couple of litres per day out of them. Question is, who pays. Obviously not you but either your landlord or maybe social services.
It sounds like your landlord is fobbing you off. Solving damp issues in old houses is never simple and it may be coming from a number of sources - ground, leaking gutter s and so on.

[ummmm]

I had an industrial dehumidifier after a flood supplied by the insurance company. It used £38 in electricity in 2 weeks.

[Peter Pedant]

.

I agree you are looking at moving....

I thought you got preferential treatment for housing if you had a child under five. You might try citizens advice - very good for some things and less good for others. You should try to link the need for rehousing to the health needs of the child.

Good Luck

[tamborine]

Was it damp when you moved in?

[buildersmate]

An average punter wouldn't know what symptoms to look for, assuming a clean had been done, Tambo.