Council offers help to tenants and landlords struggling with damp and mould

Help for landlords. Yeah right. sort this out or we will fine you even if it’s just the tenant not having the heating on

many of the problems with damp and mould not being rectified are with the government funded housing associations and council properties. many of these estates are neglected and not maintained. some of it is due to tenants drying clothes indoors and non ventilation.

if the housing associations and councils were fined and treated like private landlords then they would improve their properties. many are absolutely awful

Reply to the comment left by David Houghton at 30/08/2024 – 09:47
Take a different point of view. If you are aware you have done everything and it’s obviously tenant causing the issue it is further recording for the purpose of later action.

Reply to the comment left by Paddy O’Dawes at 30/08/2024 – 10:08
“Tenants of private rented properties should initially contact their landlords to report the damp and mould problem.
The council says that landlords are then responsible for investigating the matter and carrying out any necessary repairs to resolve the issue.”

There’s nothing new here. Council is making it clear the issue is and stays with the LL. All the LL should do is log what they have done and if the underlying cause IS actually down to tenanty lifestyle/use of the property then that should be made clear to the tenant in all communication thereafter (also include photos). Include advice of what they should be doing and how to reduce it etc. I have even had google translate the same when its been non native tenants just to cover my butt!
Had a lot of issues with those from abroad who simply don’t know how UK homes ‘work’. Not used to central heating for a start etc. They have no idea how to balance heating and ventilation, tend to have too many belongings, and bung anything down the loo and sink.
Certain tenant ‘types’ are now avoided, I just don’t have the energy. I suspect LL’s are going to be even more choosy who they let to in the future if as part of property upgrades they have to install solar panels, heat pumps etc. All these things require the tenant to understand how they work to even run the system properly, never mind to properly look after it. Imagine if a nightmare tenant smashes up these effects. The cost could be catastrophic. I see building insurance company quotes going off the scale if you rent and have all these things fitted.

Just like how all car insurance quotes have gone ballistic as a result of the amount of EV cars written off just because of expensive batteries…

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 30/08/2024 – 11:05
I absolutely see your point and understand the sentiment however if the council offices are willing to put themselves in the middle of a chain of evidence that could be used in your favour and undermine their propensity to advise tenants to stay put regardless , then it may be worthwhile using them just to cc into comms. Of course I don’t expect them to be unbiased but they may inadvertently aid in supporting evidence.

Deane Council give grants up to £500 towards insulation etc. That’s a great insentive to make improvements.

Ants and mould. Broken fire alarms. What a combination. Even worse when the Landlord is an MP.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyg1j0lv1go

Reply to the comment left by SimonP at 30/08/2024 – 15:48
He should clean up his act or get the sack. Not a single penney should he take in profit until it’s solved. I’d give him 12months to sort it. A very bad look for the government.

Reply to the comment left by SimonP at 30/08/2024 – 15:48I came here to weave in the story of the Labour MP too:) Looking at Redbridge’s website they seem to have turned _all_ of the borough into additional licencing (presumably under his watch).
Can’t the tenants claim back 3 years rent if he doesn’t have a licence? It’s unusual for the BBC not to contact Shelter for a juicy quote about a story like this.
Perhaps a kind-hearted solicitor will read the BBC article and make things right. I wouldn’t really trust the council to mark its own homework.

Reply to the comment left by Rookie Landlord at 31/08/2024 – 08:19
I don’t have much sympathy for this fellow for a whole variety of reasons but it has to be said that, absent a leak, blocked gutter or some such, then the issue of mould is almost always down to failings on the part of the tenant.

I am sick to the back teeth of landlords being blamed for tenant created mould problems.