Mould problem in our bathroom- rented flat?

Question

Hello everyone. 
I live in a rented, basement flat and our bathroom is in what used to be the wine cellar. There is one small window with an extractor fan but the room is covered in mould and damp, I wash it once a week but the walls and floor are covered in thick mould. The damp proofing broke so water was coming through the ceiling, the landlord has just got this fixed but the walls are still wet to touch. We have a dihumidifier which we put on when we have a shower and leave on but this doesn't seem to do anything. The landlord knows the problems as he lives above us but says he can't replace the bathroom and floor until we move out at the end of our contract in September. Was just wondering if anyone knew if we had any rights to leave the property before the end of our contract as since living here as since the mould has been growing I have been getting really tired and really bad headaches and think the bathroom is to blame. Many thanks.

Cymraes at the North Pole. · Accepted Answer

As the place is not habitable you are free to end your contract early.
Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau. They will help you draft a letter to your landlord.

Me · Answer

You could always try Detol Mould and Mildew remover, we live in a rented house and have a similar problem with the bath room and the bedroom where we dry our clothes although it doesn't seem as bad as yours. 
Its been driving me mad for about 6 months as nothing got rid of it  and then I found this and it works really well, It says don't use it on paint but I have and it works fine, I go over the walls about once a month with it and they are now all mould free. 

Also to try and dry the walls out have you considered putting a fan in there, we had one on the floor in our bathroom for around 3 days when the walls were soaked from condensation its dried them out well now. 


http://www.dettol.co.uk/sf_bathrooms.shtml

Good luck, But if that doesn't work just call environmental health if its making you ill theres no reason why he can't get it done now for you.

Anonymous · Answer

yes you can leave before the end of the contract - did you go through an estate agent when renting?  These conditions are unacceptable and also dangerous.  Your landlord must realise this.  It's a difficult situation if you have paid a deposit, but I am sure he can't retain this for you leaving for this reason - he/she is not carrying out their side of the bargain (by providing safe habitable accommodation).  If you didn't go through an estate agents and if you are in UK - go to the citizen's advice bureau and ask them about how you can go about leaving early.

Bostonian In MO · Answer

You may wish to check with the nearest CAB but you should be on good standing to break the tenancy agreement on the grounds that the premises isn't fit for human habitation.  Certain types of mould can cause significant health problems.

Sparks · Answer

I shouldn't think there would be any problem cancelling your contract as the property is obviously a health hazzard and unsuitable for habitation.I would contact the local public health authority.

Anonymous · Answer

Contact enviormental Health, they have the authority to make him do it,

Mould problem in our bathroom- rented flat?

6 Answers