Updating post from Reddit.
We've since moved out of our accommodation, but needed to run a dehumidifier 24/7. The landlord knew but said the issues were 'inherent' and to crack open a window. Mould, extreme condensation, all issues that results in some mould that wouldn't entire come off, or paint that came off with it. This corner was particularly bad, the dehumifidier dried it out which made paint crack and fall off.
He's saying now that this is our fault. We refused to paint over areas that we felt would've masked a problem from whoever moved in next (we we ourselves werent told that the landlord had been reported to environmental health by the previous occupants until aftr we moved in). My question is when this goes to TDS are images like this useful to us? Should be get a professional opinion on whether neglected issues like this (it looks the same on the check in report) may be contributed to the internal issues. The contrast between a house thats looked after (next door) and one that isn't, is pretty stark. Thanks.
That is definite evidence of structural damp.
Thanks very much for your feedback. Since we're no longer tenants, hopefully the TDS (deposit scheme) would take this into account. Do you think it's possible to get someone working in this area to give a state along the lines of yours, as it's more credible than us just posting a picture. I'm not sure how to best go about this really.
Have chat with an independent damp inspector he will confirm the image is evidence of structural water damage. He likely wont charge you for that either. Send this picture to Dps and contest any deductions for damp damage.
Have a chat with a local solicitor who specialises in landlord tenant issues. They will give you free short case review and you should consider taking action against your landlord for your mould exposure.
No, you dont need to get a formal damp survey and report. The landlord should have done so whilst you were living there and then acted on that. In the absence of any report being done and in light of the poor state of repair, this is going nowhere.
Take it to the TDS it is always hard for the landlord to win this kind of dispute, especialy if you are claimining that you ran the dehmudifier and had good air flow in the property.
Does the area of internal damp match this location?
Whilst its a valid point, simply demonstrating the poor state of repair makes the location irrelevant. God knows what the hidden parts of the roof are like and a tenant isnt required to be a structural surveyor. Unless a formal damp survey has been done and the damp was confirmed as condensation caused, this landlord is on a hiding to nothing.
I’m not disagreeing. I just think that in terms of TDS being able to fully understand the position, it would be conclusive if the external areas matched the internal. In all likelihood there’s probably enough evidence for TDS to make an award to the tenant anyway.
I think the absence of the landlord obtaining any formal damp report pretty much kiboshes his claim in this instance. (And Im generally pro-LL when it comes to tenants and condensation damp. Its a nightmare, but theres enough doubt here in the tenants favour. A picture says a thousand words and that fascia over a bedroom is grim. Nice new windows though 👍🤣)
I'd say it's its both that side but also part of the wall adjacent.. as if the rain was funneling into the part of the wall thats really bust open and damaging that whole area.. I'm not sure if its the same the neighbours side, though it does look like their house is more taken care of.
When we bought a dehumidifier if just seemed to keep sucking a massive amount of water out of that area, and the whole room really. One of the windows in the other side of the room is blown too but i don't have written evidence that i've told the landlord about that (i told him in person and he seemed disinterested).. so am not sure if its wise to mention that. That said it does paint a picture of how ill maintained the house is.
Looking at old rightmove images from 5+ years back, nothing has changed or been updated, paint patched up in different colours, same carpet, shed outside falling apart, fence fallen down in front. I feel like he's trying to put us on the hook for something he's relentlessly extracted from.
Yeah, well he’s going to lose.
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In my experience TDS will only side with the LL if they present a cast-iron case.
