Tenants will be able to challenge landlords over Awaab’s law and could win compensation
5 months ago | 3 comments
Tenant wants compensation for mould?
8:02 AM, 18th May 2026, 2 days ago
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Hi, I am after a bit of advice, please, from the Property118 community. I have a flat which is managed by a letting agent, and a while ago there was mould in the flat, which the handyman sorted, but warned that the same thing would happen if the windows aren’t opened. Well, this did happen a few weeks later.
At the time, the tenant said he was looking to get out of his contract. He’s still there and will be there till the end of June. He is asking for compensation for the handyman being in his room.
I bought him a dehumidifier, and he’s asking for compensation for using it. I have asked him to send copies of the energy bills to the letting agent. The office is a minute from the flat. He has refused to do this, but continues to send passive-aggressive emails.
He has also said a number of items were ruined, though there are no photos, nor has he shown a backpack or bedding, which he says were ruined.
He is asking for £381 in compensation. I am unsure how to go about this. Do I accept these things were ruined and the price he’s asking is correct, or do I negotiate?
The rent is due on the first of the month, and as of yet, he hasn’t paid this month’s rent. I should also say that I am in the process of selling the flat, which is likely to be in the next week or so.
Any advice on this matter would be welcome. I’ve found the letting agent to offer no advice.
Thanks,
Debra
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Energy efficiency improves across England’s homes but damp and mould persist
4 months ago | 7 comments
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 417
3:41 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Debra
You say you own a flat under a long residential lease.
Does your lease permit you to sublet?
You are bound to pay service charge and Ground rent under the legally binding terms of your lease contract to the named party who is your landlord.
The landlord may or may not be the freeholder.
You need to find out the name and address of the freeholder and address your concerns regarding mould. This will be available from the Land Registry.
Didn’t your solicitor give you this information when you purchased the lease?
Your flat is property belonging to the freeholder and your lease allows your occupation providing you abide by the obligations in your lease.
The freeholder has legal obligation to deal with mould in their property.
As lease holder you have a legal obligation under your lease to allow access to your landlord /freeholder to carry out repairs to their property.Your own tenant cannot prevent access nor claim compensation.
Contact Leasehold Advisory Service with your lease to find out your situation with regard to this subletting and also as intermediate landlord regarding the Renters Rights Act and your tenant.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 68
3:41 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 18/05/2026 – 12:03
He clearly sees you as a soft touch. Why are you communicating directly with it if the flat is managed by an agent? Your agent should be the one dealing with him.
I would advise caution against this advice which I consider reckless and one that could open a can of worms of unintended consequences for you. Please DON’T do it.
What you need to do is to first check your records. 1. whether you responded to the report(s) of mould within a reasonable time of your tenant reporting it. 2. Whether your handy man went into the flat and his room properly. I.e. with notice and with his consent. 3. Whether the repairs carried out and the dehumidifier that you delivered to the property were an effective enough solution to contain or eradicate the problem. If your answers to these questions are good, then you should respond to him in writing by placing these facts on the table; making it clear to him that you will not concede to being extorted or bullied, having taken reasonable steps to help resolve the mould issue. Also, make it clear that you will defend any legal action he brings up vigorously and make a counter claim against him for damages to your property and for your legal costs. You also have independent witnesses to support your counter claim against him.
I’d be surprised if he pursues the matter further once he has received this from you.
Please do let us know how it goes.
Member Since November 2015 - Comments: 585
4:42 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Kizzie at 18/05/2026 – 15:41
The freeholder is only liable if the mould is caused by an external issue. No cause has been stated in this post, so it’s not possible to say definitively. It could easily be cold bridging in an older property or even a simple blocked gutter. Involving the freeholder is more likely to increase the cost and the timescale in dealing with the problem. The freeholder will charge back all costs to the leaseholders anyway.
Member Since July 2017 - Comments: 465
4:57 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Pat Simpson at 18/05/2026 – 15:26
If the tenant refuses to leave and refuses to pay then this will mean Debra can’t sell the property. There might be no logic but the tenant could decide to be really awkward and would change his mind and decide to stay on rent free instead. This I why I suggested paying the £381 to get rid pf him. The alternative could cost her thousands. You are obviously a gambler.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 62
8:21 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Tenants!! want everything. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, repairs all paid for by landlords or tax payers. Ultimately, they want the house too.
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 417
8:42 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by G Master at 18/05/2026 – 20:21
Intermediate landlord is leaseholder who sublets a property to a tenant, acting as Landlord to the occupier but as a tenant to the freeholder, repairing obligations and liability are shared and knowing who is responsible is vital.
Statutory regs.
1. To the tenant
Immediate LL is responsible for property condition including damp and mould
2. To intermediate landlord
The superior landlord (freeholder) is responsible for structure, exterior and installation. If mould caused by structural defects (roof,pipes), the intermediate landlord must enforce the lease against the superior landlord to get it
Legislation
LTA 1985 section 11
Homes for Human Habitation Act. 2018-rented homes must be free from damp
Environmental Protection Act 1990
AWAAbS law
1. Identifies cause- lifestyle or structural, LLs responsible
2. Report in writing- tenants log issue. Check LLs formal repair process
3. Contact local authorities- if intermediate LL fails to act
4. Seek advice- tenant from Shelter
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 66
7:39 PM, 19th May 2026, About 16 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 12:03
I’m with you buddy, why would you let a few hundred pounds potentially derail a sale?
I’m not for a second siding with the tenant, this is wrong, but the way the system is your going to be worse off trying to fight it unfortunately.