Mold problem for over 8 months

Mold problem for over 8 months

9:18 AM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago 19

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The property, and particularly my room, started developing mold problems last January. I immediately contacted the agency that takes care of the property to inform them.mould

An inquiry was made and it turned out that the whole building was having an issue. The council was involved but didn’t claim responsibility.

The common areas were fixed quickly, however, no solution was presented for my room as I didn’t want to spend a night in a freshly painted room. The landlord was reluctant to arrange a temporary accommodation, and so the problem kept on being dragged further, being only resolved while I was on holiday, in mid August. Approximately 8 months (most of my tenancy) was spent in a moldy room. I believed, possibly naively, that the landlord had my best interest and comfort in mind, so I didn’t ask to terminate the contract.

The landlord has insurance for the property, and the building itself has insurance. A claim was made but it did not succeed. I asked for some sort of compensation for the problem, such as three months rent. In the contract it’s clearly stated that the landlord has to return any rent while the room is deemed unlivable for any hazard the landlord is insured against (e.g., fire, mold). The landlord and the agency refused any kind of compensation.

As a result I said I would then need to escalate this, as I find it not acceptable. The message from the other side was: “Do you want to renew the contract at the end? You shouldn’t pester the landlord or he’ll be less keen to renew”. Added, they proposed not to increase my rent on the second year as a compensation.

To me, these are some of the most unprofessional, and shady, business practices I’ve ever witnessed.

Any advice on how to move forward?

Many thanks.

King regards,
R


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Comments

Neil Patterson

9:26 AM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Hi R,

In order to expedite the solution were you able to consider moving out for a night with friends or family?

Harlequin

10:27 AM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Was any reason found for the mould? My experience is that some tenants will have it and some won't - even with the same conditions - i.e., some will open their windows and clean to keep it at bay - it is a massive problem with tenanted flats. Just painting wouldn't have stopped the mould from forming.

Luke P

10:48 AM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

You were an obstacle to the solution because you, 'didn't want to spend the night in a freshly painted room.' Why so unreasonable? What would you do if it were your own house? You were not a guest in a hotel where they could move you to an alternative room whilst yours was fixed.

R R

12:29 PM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Neil Patterson" at "09/09/2015 - 09:26":

The living area was only painted 4 months after the problem appeared.

I considered staying at a friend's place for a night. However, the landlord never presented a date for when the problem would be fixed, so the situation just kept on being dragged.

Eventually, I said I was going on holidays for a while (more than a week) and only then did the landlord send someone over.

I had to send emails and call them every week asking for updates, as nothing was being told to me.

R R

12:30 PM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Harlequin Garden" at "09/09/2015 - 10:27":

The building had an infiltration problem. I had a dehumidifier on every day to help with the problem, and even then a lot of mould formed.

R R

12:35 PM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Luke P" at "09/09/2015 - 10:48":

I have respiratory issues and would be sick if I spent a night on a freshly painted room.

I believe if it was my own house, I would have fixed it in, at most, weeks, rather than 8 months. At the very least, have someone come over to wash/paint the walls, instead of not doing anything.

I would never let a room and leave the tenant under such conditions for 8 months.

Luke P

12:41 PM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

You could have slept in another room whilst yours was painted...?

Any which way, 30 years of experience leads me to the understanding that you will get absolutely nowhere with any claim. However much it seems unfair and probably not the answer you want but I expect you will likely get your notice at the end of the agreement and there will be little else you can do.

S.E. Landlord

14:19 PM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

To my knowledge you cannot insure against mould and therefore the condition in the tenancy agreement you refer to does not apply, also I think the condition means that the room is as such that you have to move out which you say you did not.

Based on my experience mould tends to be caused by lifestyle, as already been indicated, some tenants will experience it and others, in the same property, will not.
I found tenants leaving washing to dry over chairs and windows always shut tend to have more problems with condensation than those that use the tumble dryer and have windows open.

R R

14:59 PM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "S.E. Landlord" at "09/09/2015 - 14:19":

Thank you for your opinion.

In this case, the whole building had a problem. Multiple apartments were affected.

I had a dehumidifier in the room, working every day, to attempt to alleviate the problem. And still, the mould would keep growing.

R R

15:01 PM, 9th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Luke P" at "09/09/2015 - 12:41":

I didn't have an easy access to any other place to stay. All the rooms in the property were taken.

Thanks for your opinion. I'm just trying to see what my options are at the moment.

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