Structural survey was OK but tenants report damp after just two weeks
I recently posted the ‘Newbie‘ thread so I haven’t been a landlords for very long.
I bought a mid-terrace in December 2014 which, before I bought it, I had a full buildings survey done as I wanted to try, as best I could, to highlight any major things wrong with the property in order to minimise my risk of costly expenses as soon as I’m starting out.
I have today been contacted by my agent, with 3 pictures of damp walls just two weeks after my first tenants moved in. I did not see any damp or wet walls in the period of viewing the property around July right through to before they moved in, so like many of your articles suggest, I’m hoping it is the tenants not ventilating the property properly.
I did take in everything you said about a rainy day fund and I’m currently working on about 9% of debt in terms of liquidity so its not like this is going to ruin me. However, as this is my first property, the prospects of having to spend ‘£1,000’s on damp proofing’ comes to mind, hence I’m worrying a little.
I read your reply to one damp article in regards to asking the surveyor to view the property again. If I ring them up and explain the issue, do they have to go our and recheck or can they so no unless you pay ‘X amount? I’m worried I’ll ring up and they’ll fob me off, and as I’m not 100% on the matter I’ll just take it as red.
Hope you can help.
Thanks
David Wigley
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My Agent is quoting Data Protection at me!
Member Since December 2014 - Comments: 50
11:55 PM, 16th February 2015, About 11 years ago
what are the walls made from. I have properties with stone or red sandstone walls. very common down here in west country. real problem. fine in summer and damp in winter. the walls are very cold and moisture in the air just turns wet on the walls.
otherwise its tenants life style. saucepans with no lids / washing on rads / upvc windows all closed / breathing dogs / running showers+baths with bathroom door open. tell them there was no mould before they moved in so it must belong to them and see what they say.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 646 - Articles: 1
11:59 PM, 16th February 2015, About 11 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Paul Thomas” at “16/02/2015 – 22:23“:
all agreed except in the south east and london cavity walls are generally from 1950 onwards.
also mortar droppings not super simple to remove as usually set rock solid.
Member Since December 2014 - Comments: 50
12:05 AM, 17th February 2015, About 11 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Neil Robb” at “16/02/2015 – 22:14“:
my experience every time.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 1121
2:03 PM, 25th February 2015, About 11 years ago
Tenants- don’t you just love em? Here’s one of my “case studies”:
Previously nice warm dry flat. New tenant moves in. Advice given about condensation etc use of storage heater. 1 x 3KW in the lounge. Keep it on in the winter. Open the doors when you go out. Set it to three to charge and three to discharge. Won’t cost you a fortune. Your flat will be nice and warm I said.
Do a 3 month inspection.No storage heater on. Mould on walls. “Its damp” she says. Affecting my health. I can’t sing because of the mould spores so I am going to sue you for loss of earnings. Well I can’t sing either I said but it’s got nothing to do with mould.
Then she eventually tells me she only has the heating on Fri-Sunday and rest of the time she lives in the bedroom with a panel heater on watching the telly……
You can guess the rest of the conversation I think…….