Mold and damp in apartment

KATT22 · 18-08-2014 10:06pm #1

I would like to bring up a problem that I feel that me and my partner have been treated unfairly.
The other day, I have noticed when I was sorting out my clothes that there were some green mold on the side of my clothes. There is also a nasty smell in the wardrobe too. At the time, my partner and I were thinking of moving back to our parents house due to financial difficulties and this was why, at the time I was sorting out my clothes.

I emailed my landlord about the mold/damp incident and the 30 day notice and if it were possible to get possible compensation on our damaged items, our framed images on the wall were actually wrinkled and one of my magazines in the wardrobe got wrinkled, even though i only bought it in June.

We got a reply back from the landlord saying that it was insane asking for compensation, telling us that he, his wife and child lived there and he would have the place available if it was a health hazard.

Ii was shocked with the email and there was no apology in the email. I suffer from asthma and have been feeling a bit ill. The place does not get much sun light due to the fact the our place is at a corner on the ground floor. We were not told that the place was flooded before, the bathroom was flooded too. There is a large mark in the hallway in where the damp is covered in paint, this is from the bathroom getting flooded. The place is cold and feels damp. I had to throw out some of my clothes because they were really damp and had mold on them.
This is not good for my health and we have only rented this place on the 21st of June this year. We were very interested with the apartment and it does have great storage space, but the fact that I found out about the damp problem, I am very worried that my asthma will get worse by living here and i feel the place is not suitable for anyone to live in. The are even spore moulds that are growing on the window in the sitting room,

Also we have not recieved the PRTB letter of registration, do you know how long we have to wait to recieve that from the landlord?

punisher5112 · 19-08-2014 12:10pm

Contact your local Enviromental Health Officer if yhou feel the property is unsuitable.

You will find these on Local council website.

Take photo's of everything and keep a record of dates and times etc.

If there is bad damp for the moment if you can get a dehumidifier this will help.

The property sounds like it is very old and not insulated properly as had similar problems but a hell of a lot worse with black mould on all walls and growth also.

Fkall · 19-08-2014 4:48pm

How long have you been in the property?

Zulu · 19-08-2014 4:54pm

Am I right in saying you moved in in June, and are now seeking to move out?

And you want to be compensated for a magazine? Are you fu*cking sh*tting me?

KATT22 · 19-08-2014 5:35pm

Zulu, my clothes got damaged too and my health is at risk staying in an apartment that is cold and damp!

Zulu · 19-08-2014 5:52pm

Have you tried washing your clothes? (serious question)

KATT22 · 19-08-2014 5:54pm

there were clothes that we badly moldy that i had to throw them out

marlie2005 · 19-08-2014 6:07pm

Seems like you want to get out of your lease... you moved in in june and due to financial difficulties you decided to start packing and then you noticed the mould..
you then emailed the landlord giving him 30 day noticed plus the expectation of compensation for your clothes, which may I add may have been caused by you own doing ( not airing the room etc. )
What is the BER on the apartment ? Im sure you knew this before you moved in , especially as the house is old with no insulation.
Seems a bit cheeky to me !!

KATT22 · 19-08-2014 6:12pm

excuse you for me being treated unfairly by my landlord! I only noticed the mold when i was sorting out my clothes, found out by other tenants that every couple that lived in our place, had problems with damp and mold. I dont bull****. I have loads of photos to prove it! The apartment block was flooded before too, we even have spores growing on the window sill, its that bad!
Our landlord didnt tell us the BER either, and he didnt tell us that the apartment was broken into either or that the apartment block was flooded ages ago.

punisher5112 · 19-08-2014 7:40pm

As I said op contact environmental health officer and also get onto threshold and they will give you all the advice needed as letter will have to be sent to LL.

KATT22 · 19-08-2014 7:43pm

I did all that, just waiting for reply

custom_build · 19-08-2014 8:06pm

Did you not sign a lease which you would be breaking? This may be the reason your ll wasn't jumping to give you compo after the initial cost of advertising the place, the costs to repair the condensation issues that will be left after you and then re advertising the accommodation.

rawn · 19-08-2014 8:06pm

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. Moved into a bungalow that had been empty for a while so I ignored the musty smell. Within a few weeks mold started to grow on any clothes left on the floor, our duvet, and clothes in the wardrobe. Then black mould started climbing up the walls. The floors were ice cold all the time. We took pictures of all of the damage and mould and showed it to the estate agent. She liaised with the LL and we were allowed to move out within the weeks with our full deposit. But we weren't compensated for any of the damages or the cost of moving, as it was deemed fixable. We were a bit annoyed but sure, it definitely taught us some of the finer points of inspecting a property! Just chalk it up to a life lesson and look up some tips online for getting mould out of clothes safely.

KATT22 · 19-08-2014 8:26pm

suppose, il see how things turn out, there will be guys checking out the place and seeing how bad the mold is. But sure im moving back home anyway, next time i move out, il definetly make sure its suitable

Diane Selwyn · 19-08-2014 8:33pm

I don't think you have a case for compensation to be honest - mould and mildew are common problems in rental properties in Ireland you will learn that you need to be vigilant and careful of what you store where. At the same time if its becoming an issue you have a right (and responsibility) to bring it to the attention of the landlord. I get the impression (and may certainly be wrong) that you may be shooting yourself in the foot somewhat with your slightly apologetic use of language which could result in your written complaint not being taken seriously. If you suspect that the condition of the property is aggravating your asthma don't just infer that you have been feeling 'a bit ill' lately. Be clear of your objective - either to get the problem sorted or get out of the lease - and give them the facts.

chopper6 · 20-08-2014 9:59am

Diane Selwyn wrote: »

I don't think you have a case for compensation to be honest - mould and mildew are common problems in rental properties in Ireland.

Well they shouldn't be...it's a disgrace that mouldy properties are being let out to paying customers.

There needs to be more regulation in the private rental market.

MouseTail · 20-08-2014 11:28am

chopper6 wrote: »

Well they shouldn't be...it's a disgrace that mouldy properties are being let out to paying customers.

There needs to be more regulation in private rental market.

There really doesn't.

chopper6 · 20-08-2014 11:42am

MouseTail wrote: »

There really doesn't.

No...let rackrenters and gougers let out substandard hovels at exhorbitant prices forever.

Zulu · 20-08-2014 12:02pm

chopper6 wrote: »

No...let rackrenters and gougers let out substandard hovels at exhorbitant prices forever.

Or, you know, inspect a property before you rent it. And (importantly) don't rent a substandard hovel for an exorbitant price.

chopper6 · 20-08-2014 12:07pm

Zulu wrote: »

Or, you know, inspect a property before you rent it. And (importantly) don't rent a substandard hovel for an exorbitant price.

Are retailers allowed to sell rotten food?

What about car dealerships selling unsafe bangers?

Why should landlords be any different?

mikom · 20-08-2014 12:17pm

chopper6 wrote: »

Well they shouldn't be...it's a disgrace that mouldy properties are being let out to paying customers.

There needs to be more regulation in the private rental market.

Red tape vs. black mould.

MouseTail · 20-08-2014 12:56pm

chopper6 wrote: »

No...let rackrenters and gougers let out substandard hovels at exhorbitant prices forever.

They cant. There are standards, some would say they are OTT (eg compulsory provision of a microwave). Also, remember it was the well meaning abolition of the old style bedsit that has contributed to the existing crisis.

chopper6 · 20-08-2014 1:40pm

MouseTail wrote: »

They cant. There are standards, some would say they are OTT (eg compulsory provision of a microwave). Also, remember it was the well meaning abolition of the old style bedsit that has contributed to the existing crisis.

Anybody will tell you that bedists have been far from abolished...there are hundreds of them in the Nth Circular road and surrounding areas alone.

The_Morrigan · 20-08-2014 1:42pm

Folks, get back on topic

Mrs OBumble · 20-08-2014 3:21pm

OP, if the mould was as bad as you say, then it would have been obvious from the way the place smelled when you inspected it. As an asthmatic, you should be well aware of this, but maybe you are new to the world of renting. (And in fairness, I once moved into a place that was very damp - and moved out again in less three months).

For now, do not expect compensation: you made a mistake, you need to bear the costs. (You can wash your clothes, and read wrinkled magazines.)

Also, you should not expect the landlord to tell you that a property has flooded, or has been broken in to before: it's really not relevant to your tenancy.

For the future:

Inspect properties properly before you rent them. Check for signs of dampless. Check for where the sun is likely to go, and how much will get into the house. Ask about the BER.

if there is any tendency to dampness, then do not put furniture or wardrobes hard up against outside wallks, or hang pictures there.

Open the windows each day, for at least an hour.

Clean the windowsills and other places where dust / mould might collect at least once a month.

Vacuum carpets at least weekly.

chopper6 · 20-08-2014 3:54pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

OP, if the mould was as bad as you say, then it would have been obvious from the way the place smelled when you inspected it. As an asthmatic, you should be well aware of this, but maybe you are new to the world of renting. (And in fairness, I once moved into a place that was very damp - and moved out again in less three months).

For now, do not expect compensation: you made a mistake, you need to bear the costs. (You can wash your clothes, and read wrinkled magazines.)

Also, you should not expect the landlord to tell you that a property has flooded, or has been broken in to before: it's really not relevant to your tenancy.

For the future:

Inspect properties properly before you rent them. Check for signs of dampless. Check for where the sun is likely to go, and how much will get into the house. Ask about the BER.

if there is any tendency to dampness, then do not put furniture or wardrobes hard up against outside wallks, or hang pictures there.

Open the windows each day, for at least an hour.

Clean the windowsills and other places where dust / mould might collect at least once a month.

Vacuum carpets at least weekly.

Yes OP...it's all your fault :rolleyes:

The_Morrigan · 20-08-2014 9:33pm

chopper6 I feel like a broken record telling you to stop with the agenda, please stop the soapboxing and trollish posts. If you can't post in a constructive manner towards the OP, then don't post.

KATT22 · 21-08-2014 12:24am

the wardrobe is actually a built in wardrobe so its on the wall. I know yeah for next time to check all these things. No sun light is getting to the apartment, we are on ground floor.

the_syco · 21-08-2014 1:17am

Where do you dry your clothes, and do you open the windows much? There's a possibility that there isn't much air getting in?

KATT22 · 21-08-2014 1:24am

yes i do open the windows, its the fact that the place has been flooded before and the fact that the place is damp due to that, if i was able to upload photos here, that would be great.

Bepolite · 21-08-2014 1:39am

KATT22 wrote: »

yes i do open the windows, its the fact that the place has been flooded before and the fact that the place is damp due to that, if i was able to upload photos here, that would be great.

Simply attach them using the paperclip icon - that will open the photo. Copy the URL into a post by pressing the little mountains and sun icon below and to the right of the paper clip.

OP get on to environmental health - ask the landlord to provide a dehumidifier. It's in his own interest if the place has been flooded. Make sure you are not drying clothes in the apartment (there should be a dryer or drying area) and ensure you are airing the place daily by opening as many windows as possible, for as long as possible.

As for regulation - we there or there abouts now. What we need is enforcement and inspections but: Welcome to Ireland :pac:

Zulu · 21-08-2014 7:56am

If the damp was a result of the flooding it would/should have been very obvious when you viewed the apartment.
Can I ask how you found out the property was flooded? And did you find out when it flooded?

amdublin · 21-08-2014 8:11am

Definitely sounds like you need to move home.

We had very bad damp and mould in my house growing up - old 1930's badly insulated house with no central heating(!!!) until about 1988.
My current house was built 1993. Isn't cold/damp but do get a little bit of black mould and spores in the bedroom which I wash and treat every year or so.

Seems to be a common Irish problem in some ways. Suggest you rent very carefully focussing on this next time.

KATT22 · 21-08-2014 10:45am

I found out from one of the tenants that has been living here for ten years, he basically had to strip down his walls coz of the mold he got on his walls.

KATT22 · 21-08-2014 10:57am

cant post urls coz im a new user -_-

chopper6 · 21-08-2014 10:58am

Just in case anybody isnt aware..black mould can contain spores that lodge in the lungs and create lifelong health problem.

Weyhey · 21-08-2014 1:03pm

It's not that easy to get mould or the musty smell out of clothes and mould spores can travel to your new home.

I lived in a house where it wasn't obvious there was a damp problem (except a possibility of it in bathroom where there was no proper heating). There were no obvious damp patches on the wall and I had windows (and wardrobe doors) open every day even in the snow and my clothes kept getting mouldy in the wardrobe.

Bedrooms only had plug in heaters and there was no dryer in the house so this may have contributed to the problem.

Landlord said he never had any problems like that before. I moved out when my lease was up and got compensation for my clothes and extra cost of electricity due to having to use dehumidifier non stop which the landlord actually threw at me (money not the dehumidifier :-) ).

I since met a taxi driver who used to live in the same house before me who gave out about the same problem and the crazy landlord.

OP you are right to want to move out if mould starts appearing on your clothes especially during such a warm summer as it is so hard to fix but it does sound like you were planning to move out before you noticed the mould. Also after two months I can't imagine you would get much compensation especially as landlord hasn't had a chance to try to fix things.

dede12 · 21-08-2014 5:12pm

chopper6 wrote: »

Just in case anybody isnt aware..black mould can contain spores that lodge in the lungs and create lifelong health problem.

Very true, I've had permanent issues from living in a moldy apartment for only a few months. & I already had allergy issues to mold & dustmites, unlike one poster here, its not always possible to smell it, esp if the property has been aired right before you view it & it is the summer. OP, never choose a property where the windows are open when you view it, as it will hide a lot of issues.

Also, those who are suggesting washing clothes will solve the issue, its really not that simple. A lot of times you can't properly kill the mold unless you use bleach & hot water, and dry thoroughly, preferably in a tumble dryer on med-high heat, all of which is likely to ruin the clothes. A lot of people who aren't as sensitive to mold will think the washing has gotten rid of it but those who are actually allergic/sensitive will be able to tell (the number of times I can smell mold off the clothes of people next to me in class or the train for example is ridiculous). I would think its valid to ask for a discount on your rent for a month or two to make up for the damage to your items. He's not required to give it but no harm in asking. Remember though, unless these are very high end designer clothes the value of already used/worn clothes is pretty low, so you shouldn't be asking for a discount equivalent to the purchase price, more along the lines of what the non-moldy clothes would have been worth in if you bought them in a charity shop or thrift store.

And the property being flooded before certainly is relevant, in the same way that you need to reveal if a car has been salvaged when you sell it (through a salvage title). It may not be a legal requirement but I would consider it highly unethical to not reveal a place has been flooded as it can lead to a lot problems down the road.

OP it would be more than reasonable to ask the landlord for a dehumidifer large enough to dry the whole apartment (or a few smaller ones), along w/ paying for somebody to come in & remove all the mold. If you don't have a dryer, I'd ask for one as well since drying clothes in a damp & previously flooded apt is just asking for issues, even if you leave the windows open. & the clothes will need to be dried thoroughly if you want to have any chance of saving them. Something certainly needs to be done as the problem will just get worse during the winter.

I would also be looking to break my lease as I would consider severe mold issues in a living space to make it uninhabitable for the majority of people. You are within your rights to reassign the lease and get the deposit back (if he refuses you can leave). However I would be hesitant to let others move into a property w/ such issues so I would be looking for a way to break it w/o doing that - perhaps you can negotiate something w/ your landlord? Maybe he will come to an agreement w/ you about breaking the lease. Perhaps you can offer to let him keep your entire deposit or pay a fee the equivalent of a months rent in return for leaving early (often called a 'break fee' in my part of the states). Make sure however to get whatever agreement you come to in writing, before you leave or pay him anything.

KATT22 · 21-08-2014 5:33pm

dede12, i left in a 30 day notice, he is using our deposit as our next months rent. Also he has found another person that is interested in the place, they will be viewing it on the 26th. Also i got a dehumidifier from my next door neighbour, we didnt get one with the place.

dede12 · 21-08-2014 5:44pm

Thats good you seem to have it pretty much sorted then! Just be more aware w/ your next place & ask specifically about flooding/damp issues. I always try to negotiate a break clause into a lease if its not already there & that would give you some protection in the next place if issues come up later on.Try to get one w/ a good amt sun as well. I'd say you can still ask him again for some sort of reimbursement for the clothes at their used value price but dont be surprised if he refuses. Hopefully it all works out for you

KATT22 · 21-08-2014 5:52pm

there are people that are meant to come out from the Dublin City council to look at the place, to check how bad that mold is. i doubt id get money for my damaged clothes, but i tried.

Tarzana · 21-08-2014 6:32pm

chopper6 wrote: »

Just in case anybody isnt aware..black mould can contain spores that lodge in the lungs and create lifelong health problem.

Yup, I'm still the after effects of living in a house that had a low-level leak that we didn't discover for months.

"Ah, sure just wash your clothes, that'll get rid of the mold" - I can't wash my lungs unfortunately!

chopper6 · 22-08-2014 10:17am

Tarzana wrote: »

Yup, I'm still the after effects of living in a house that had a low-level leak that we didn't discover for months.

"Ah, sure just wash your clothes, that'll get rid of the mold" - I can't wash my lungs unfortunately!

And leave the windows open...coz teh irish winters are balmy and warm.

drumswan · 22-08-2014 10:19am

Zulu wrote: »

Or, you know, inspect a property before you rent it. And (importantly) don't rent a substandard hovel for an exorbitant price.

Unfortunately, if a house has been professionally cleaned and aired for several days before you view it, these issues wont be apparent.

Also, you talk like there is a glut of properties on the market where people can take their pick among the best ones, instead of a desperate scramble just to find somewhere, anywhere to live.

chopper6 · 22-08-2014 11:24am

drumswan wrote: »

Unfortunately, if a house has been professionally cleaned and aired for several days before you view it, these issues wont be apparent.

Also, you talk like there is a glut of properties on the market where people can take their pick among the best ones, instead of a desperate scramble just to find somewhere, anywhere to live.

This happens all the time..a guy i work with from cork was looking for somewhere to stay for weeks,he had to crash in his sisters's place until he was eventually offered a room in a place in whitehall.

When i say it was a hovel i mean i've never seen anything so wretched...the landlord was so mean he actually had old benches from a bus in the living room and they only ever saw him when the rent was due..any entreaties to carry out repairs(including a hole in the roof) were met with "Sure ya can always find somewhere else to live".

_oveless_ · 22-08-2014 10:09pm

chopper6 wrote: »

Just in case anybody isnt aware..black mould can contain spores that lodge in the lungs and create lifelong health problem.

Aren there any warning signs of mould? I've scrubbed the flat I'm moving into top to bottom all week but my biggest fear is mould appearing as it is an old house with old windows.

rawn · 22-08-2014 10:18pm

_oveless_ wrote: »

Aren there any warning signs of mould? I've scrubbed the flat I'm moving into top to bottom all week but my biggest fear is mould appearing as it is an old house with old windows.

Cold floors, musty smell, any kind of dampness on walls, curling of wallpaper and blocked/no ventilation are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

chopper6 · 23-08-2014 9:09am

rawn wrote: »

Cold floors, musty smell, any kind of dampness on walls, curling of wallpaper and blocked/no ventilation are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Get a bit of tissue paper and run it along the seams where the glass joins the window...if it come away black there may be some issue with condensation...that's not to say it will be mouldy own the line though but it is assign.

Blackness in corners and on walls is an obvious sign and as has been said the place will smell a bit fusty too.

Mold and damp in apartment

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