Condensation issue - Claim and court.

Spikey

Spikey

Spikey

Soldato
Joined
28 Feb 2004
Posts
5,988
Location
North East, UK
Hi all.

I'm looking for some advice if possible regarding a property I rented from May 2012 last year to January this year. To cut a long story short we had issues in the property with condensation and I am looking to take the landlord to a small claims court. I have taken numerous pictures of damage to furniture and the issues we lived with, such as mould growth, damp window ledges, mould growing inside kitchen cupboards etc.

We had condensation issues from when we moved in which were unresolved by a dehumidifier, we opened windows on a regular basis and used extractor fans etc. We also had a our local council attend and carry out an inspection, they produced a report that there was evidence of condensation and that it requires further investigation by the LL as well as high damp readings to some boxing in the bathroom and two outer walls. I was forced to move due to the health of my family to avoid further damage to my property and clothing/furniture.

I would expect reasonable compensation, tried writing to the landlord but was referred to his solicitor and I am getting nowhere and they are not interested in assisting me.

I would like to take things further, via small claims court, is this a good idea? How would it work? How much compensation should I expect and what should it be based on?


Please find attached the link to the pics we took before leaving the property in Jan 2013 which show the mould/condensation issues we have lived with.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3YDr4J7sN5pNm9aYTd1OW5pVGs/edit?usp=sharing

As you can appreciate this was a very stressful time for my partner and I, my 4 year old and young baby. If anyone could offer me any advice I would really appreciate it.

Many thanks,

Spikey.
 
Last edited:
godinman said:
I understand that it can make you ill, I was asking what illness the OP and his family suffered.
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I'm sure that's what you meant to ask, but that's not the question you actually asked ;)


OP, chalk it up to experience, be glad you're away from it & move on.
 
Yup move on. Sure it was inconvenient but in the grand scale of things, some condensation and associated mould is one of the most common things in housing.

I'm sure it was annoying but I can't imagine there are many courts in this country that would bat an eyelid.

Could be wrong of course.
 
fastwunz said:
Yup move on. Sure it was inconvenient but in the grand scale of things, some condensation and associated mould is one of the most common things in housing.

I'm sure it was annoying but I can't imagine there are many courts in this country that would bat an eyelid.

Could be wrong of course.
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someone in America successfully sued over mould health problems,

I was thinking similar thing op in this current house we have mould and I want to sue the lazy *******.
 
His solicitor is unlikely to assist you claim against their client, you need your own. End of the day you need legal advice which may come at a cost, you need to decide if your costs are worth losing if you fail to win your day in court.
 
Hi Guys,

We generally suffered with coughs/colds which tbh I know will be hard to prove. I suffered with tonsillitis as well, my daughter was suffering with colds/flu constantly. I've fixed the picture link it should allow you to download the pics. I am claiming for furniture which has mould all up the back of our drawers and wardrobe which combined are worth £650. There are loads of other issues as well but I could go on all day with it.

I sort of expected the responses regarding leaving it, however until you've lived in these conditions you don't understand how bad it can get. We had to throw out a load of my daughters teddies that had gone mouldy, our food went mouldy/soft etc We had to throw out so much stuff. The carpets were damp all year round. I would not wish it on anyone.

Thanks for the words of advice so far, but no one has really said if I have a case based on the pics?
 
I guess you could also claim some of the rent money back... After all... You did rent something which at the end of the day was sub-par to what you were expecting etc...
 
sbi5ar said:
I guess you could also claim some of the rent money back... After all... You did rent something which at the end of the day was sub-par to what you were expecting etc...
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Hi,

I am claiming 7 x £100 (I've knocked off 100 quid per month of my tenancy), which I have requested due to the poor living conditions. I was paying £600 P/M for the property.
 
Hikari Kisugi said:
Have you copies of all your correspondance, and your complians to the ll or letting agency.
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Thanks, I've got the copies of letters I have received and posted. The biggest issue I have is that we paid our fee's with the agent then last minute go asked if we would mind using a dehumidifier in the bathroom due to a "minor" condensation problem in the bathroom (only) caused by the one and only previous tenant.

My biggest gripe is that from the start we have been deceived by the owner and the agent. The agent has actually refunded us our initial application fee, however told us our main issues must be taken up with the owner.
 
Are you really willing to risk the loss of money in chasing this thing up?

At the end of the day, lots of properties have damp problems, you'd be far better off putting the money towards a deposit for a house or renting a better house. Fact.

People in this country jump the claim gun far too quickly and easily now.
 
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