Discussion
Hello all,
I am after some advice.
My wife and I rent a ground floor flat in a new build. The build was completed in September last year and we moved in just after new year this year. After moving in, we did the airing of the property to assist in drying out the walls, as per instructions left by the building company.
Shortly after moving in, we developed mould on the windows. This then moved onto the skirting boards and spread around our bedroom, ending in the built in wardrobe. It wasn't overly bad, mainly an annoyance. We went to out estate agent, who told us it was the building companines concern. So we went to them, and they surprisingly sent us back to the estate agents.
After tooing and froing for a couple of weeks, we cleaned the mould and warmer weather was upon us. The mould did not come back, so we thought that was it. During the summer, we have constantly had the windows open, so there is no question that we have aired the property and the walls are dried out.
Now the weather is getting a little colder, we have got condensation on the windows, which I have always had on any property I lived in, so no concern. The mould has come back with a vengence though.
It has covered the bottom 2-3 inches of the windows. It is again on the skirting boards. We have also noticed a damp patch approximately 1 metre away from the window by the skirting board on a wall. What is even worse is the fact, that upon checking the rear of our 2 sets of chest of drawers, the back is completely covered in mould. Our bed is also getting more mould on it day by day. The wardrobe is again infected and covered most of my wifes shoes, destroyed a set of my work boots and slowly getting to everything else.
We have had to buy new drawers as it is that bad. We have taken pictures and this time, wrote a letter and sent this with pictures to our estate agent.
They were shocked and arranged someone from the building company to come and look to identify the problem.
He arrived and after only looking at the window, stated it is just condensation. He said that is what is causing the mould. When asked how it can cause mould in a wardrobe which is 4-5 metres away from the window, he just said that's what happens. When asked about the furniture, again he said it's condensation. He also blamed the damp patch on the wall due to condensation.
Now I don't know much about condensation or mould, but I don't believe condensation, which I have had in every property and never had mould before is the cause. It seems like a get out by the building company.
We have tried to contact the estate agents to complain some more and find out what is going to happen with out property that is damaged, but been unable to get through.
I would like anyone's advice as to where to proceed and if they know mould is caused like it is in our flat by condensation? If it is, could it actually get from the windows, to items metres away, without infecting items closer to it and between it? If not, what could be the cause?
The building company man's professional fix was to open windows, even though it's frigging cold out!!!
Craig
I am after some advice.
My wife and I rent a ground floor flat in a new build. The build was completed in September last year and we moved in just after new year this year. After moving in, we did the airing of the property to assist in drying out the walls, as per instructions left by the building company.
Shortly after moving in, we developed mould on the windows. This then moved onto the skirting boards and spread around our bedroom, ending in the built in wardrobe. It wasn't overly bad, mainly an annoyance. We went to out estate agent, who told us it was the building companines concern. So we went to them, and they surprisingly sent us back to the estate agents.
After tooing and froing for a couple of weeks, we cleaned the mould and warmer weather was upon us. The mould did not come back, so we thought that was it. During the summer, we have constantly had the windows open, so there is no question that we have aired the property and the walls are dried out.
Now the weather is getting a little colder, we have got condensation on the windows, which I have always had on any property I lived in, so no concern. The mould has come back with a vengence though.
It has covered the bottom 2-3 inches of the windows. It is again on the skirting boards. We have also noticed a damp patch approximately 1 metre away from the window by the skirting board on a wall. What is even worse is the fact, that upon checking the rear of our 2 sets of chest of drawers, the back is completely covered in mould. Our bed is also getting more mould on it day by day. The wardrobe is again infected and covered most of my wifes shoes, destroyed a set of my work boots and slowly getting to everything else.
We have had to buy new drawers as it is that bad. We have taken pictures and this time, wrote a letter and sent this with pictures to our estate agent.
They were shocked and arranged someone from the building company to come and look to identify the problem.
He arrived and after only looking at the window, stated it is just condensation. He said that is what is causing the mould. When asked how it can cause mould in a wardrobe which is 4-5 metres away from the window, he just said that's what happens. When asked about the furniture, again he said it's condensation. He also blamed the damp patch on the wall due to condensation.
Now I don't know much about condensation or mould, but I don't believe condensation, which I have had in every property and never had mould before is the cause. It seems like a get out by the building company.
We have tried to contact the estate agents to complain some more and find out what is going to happen with out property that is damaged, but been unable to get through.
I would like anyone's advice as to where to proceed and if they know mould is caused like it is in our flat by condensation? If it is, could it actually get from the windows, to items metres away, without infecting items closer to it and between it? If not, what could be the cause?
The building company man's professional fix was to open windows, even though it's frigging cold out!!!
Craig
I take it that its the estate agent that you're paying the rent to rather than directly to the landlord.
Pay the money into an escrow account with your own solicitor, few things get someone to call quicker than not paying them.
Open the windows to let the moisture out, it has to go somewhere.
Pay the money into an escrow account with your own solicitor, few things get someone to call quicker than not paying them.
Open the windows to let the moisture out, it has to go somewhere.
Be careful with mould. Some of it can be very dangerous! I know in my first flat - my flat mates room had mould in it and he got tonsilitus about a month after moving in (It may have been by chance - but we both thought the mould had something to do with it).
I read about an extreme case where a house had to be gutted and rebuilt due to the mould problem (Not that I want to scare you!
)
I'd look into the rights as a tennent, the landlord must do something about it!
I read about an extreme case where a house had to be gutted and rebuilt due to the mould problem (Not that I want to scare you!
)I'd look into the rights as a tennent, the landlord must do something about it!
spikeyhead said:
I take it that its the estate agent that you're paying the rent to rather than directly to the landlord.
Pay the money into an escrow account with your own solicitor, few things get someone to call quicker than not paying them.
Open the windows to let the moisture out, it has to go somewhere.
Yes, whomever you pay the money to, tell them to sort it out. You aren't renting from the builder are you?Pay the money into an escrow account with your own solicitor, few things get someone to call quicker than not paying them.
Open the windows to let the moisture out, it has to go somewhere.
danrc said:
Be careful with mould. Some of it can be very dangerous! I know in my first flat - my flat mates room had mould in it and he got tonsilitus about a month after moving in
Aspergillosis (from the spores of the Aspergillus fungus) can actually kill. Never a good idea to breathe in spores, just in case.http://www.aspergillus.org.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 1st October 19:34
Mould is caused by moisture... confirmed by the condensation on yoru windows.
Either the house hasnt dried out correctly or you donot have enough airflow in the house to move moist air.
You could open a few windows and turn the heating up or hire one of those industrial condensation remover machines.
Get some fungacide spray / bleach and give all surfaces a good wipe down.
if the mould persists... seriously think about moving out
Either the house hasnt dried out correctly or you donot have enough airflow in the house to move moist air.
You could open a few windows and turn the heating up or hire one of those industrial condensation remover machines.
Get some fungacide spray / bleach and give all surfaces a good wipe down.
if the mould persists... seriously think about moving out
We are trying to contact the estate agent, as that is who we pay. It was them that contacted the builders to come and look at it. So we went along with that, but after what he said, we now wish not to.
Also, forgot to state, above our windows are air vents, which have been permanantly open since we moved in to assist in the airing.
Also, forgot to state, above our windows are air vents, which have been permanantly open since we moved in to assist in the airing.
I know it probably is not your job to do it, but can you not get paint that wont habour mold? if it is only a small wall or maybe a couple of walls then it could be worth considering!
I hate Letting agents, they want your money but never want to deal with any problems.... Dealing with the landlord is sooo much better!!!
I hate Letting agents, they want your money but never want to deal with any problems.... Dealing with the landlord is sooo much better!!!
I own a flat which I rent out and I've had tenants move out in part due to a mould issue - everything I tried wouldn't get rid - and the trickle vents were always open just as in your case.. some properties seem to just not air out properly and you've got some bad luck. It can be dangerous and I went to clean off the mould personally in the flat while the tenants were still living there... I got some mould killer from B&Q and went to town on the stuff. I've more recently had a builder out to see if he can work it out and he can't so it's something that I have to simply keep an eye on. It could affect your health so whoever the landlord is should be concerned as if anything does happen to your health - you'll be in a strong position to put them in the s
t.
t.Is your property covered by an NHBC guarantee?
Condensation is usually - but not always - the cause so try airing it thoroughly - but put the building company on guard that there may be a claim coming their way.
If airing doesn't get rid of it, talk to the building company - they ought to have a surveyor who can come and have a look.
If your property is under a guarantee, it's in their interest, as well as yours, to get it sorted.
Condensation is usually - but not always - the cause so try airing it thoroughly - but put the building company on guard that there may be a claim coming their way.
If airing doesn't get rid of it, talk to the building company - they ought to have a surveyor who can come and have a look.
If your property is under a guarantee, it's in their interest, as well as yours, to get it sorted.
The Ben said:
I know it probably is not your job to do it, but can you not get paint that wont habour mold? if it is only a small wall or maybe a couple of walls then it could be worth considering!
I hate Letting agents, they want your money but never want to deal with any problems.... Dealing with the landlord is sooo much better!!!
A ground floor flat could be a case of insufficient/faulty damp proof course? I hate Letting agents, they want your money but never want to deal with any problems.... Dealing with the landlord is sooo much better!!!
I converted an outhouse for storage a while back, insulated the walls with polystyrene and boarding etc, but it developed mould along the bottom of the wood paneling. The place had no damp proof course and I guess the moisture just wicked up the brickwork. I put a small heater out there to keep the temp at 20c plus, and it went away.
Not to sure about NHBC guarantee. We have aired the property out for an extended period of time. During the summer, I acutally was off work for a couple of months and the windows were pretty much open 24/7. We shall get teh estate agents to sort us out a dehumidifier and also see about claiming for the cost of damaged goods.
It could possibly be mortar snots on wall~ties allowing moisture to track across the cavity to the inside leaf. This excess moisture in the room will then condense on the coldest areas, ie windows, areas of wall with poor insulation, and element junctions. I'd suggest it might be worth contacting NHBC or Zurich or whoever the guarantee is with and running this by them.
LDNrevs said:
I own a flat which I rent out and I've had tenants move out in part due to a mould issue - everything I tried wouldn't get rid - and the trickle vents were always open just as in your case.. some properties seem to just not air out properly and you've got some bad luck. It can be dangerous and I went to clean off the mould personally in the flat while the tenants were still living there... I got some mould killer from B&Q and went to town on the stuff. I've more recently had a builder out to see if he can work it out and he can't so it's something that I have to simply keep an eye on. It could affect your health so whoever the landlord is should be concerned as if anything does happen to your health - you'll be in a strong position to put them in the st.
Agree, some properties due to the way they are constructed suffer with condensation, mould and damp living conditions. The OP needs to immediately contact his local council’s Environmental Health Department and consider looking immediately for alternative accommodation. There is no easy solutions/answers, and the longer the OP stays in this property, then the more you put your health/property in danger.t.Edited by Wings on Wednesday 1st October 20:12
Edited by Wings on Wednesday 1st October 20:24
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