# Bad smell in the house **URL:** \ **Category:** Tenant Discussion\ **Created:** [26 July 2024 22:39 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861 "2024-07-26T22:39:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/asyd/32/23130_2.png) [@Asyd](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Asyd)\ **Post date:** [26 July 2024 22:39 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/1 "2024-07-26T22:39:07Z")
Just moved to a rental property a day ago. The house stinks right when you step in . There’s some very bad smell all around the lower floor. Paint is not neat. Marks all over the walls . There’s mould on the wall in one room . Bathroom looks new but stinks. There’s drain fly larvae all around the bathroom floor. On the upper floor carpets have another kind of odor. What do I do? Whose responsibility is it to maintain all this? Paying 1300 pcm in westmidlands for this house where rents are comparatively low. ---
**Author:** ![Gary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/gary/32/16502_2.png) [@Gary](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Gary)\ **Post date:** [27 July 2024 02:38 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/2 "2024-07-27T02:38:02Z")
And were none of these items an issue when you viewed the house…oh wait you DID virw the property didnt you? ---
**Author:** ![Asyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/asyd/32/23130_2.png) [@Asyd](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Asyd)\ **Post date:** [27 July 2024 03:53 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/3 "2024-07-27T03:53:02Z")
I’ll be honest here. Didn’t view physically as I was moving from another city and we don’t get viewings arranged on our desired dates when we are able to travel. Although I tried requesting a lot of agents that I can travel on specific days to view, but no luck . So decided to do online viewing for this one . ---
**Author:** ![A\_Z](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/a_z/32/450_2.png) [@A\_Z](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/A_Z)\ **Post date:** [27 July 2024 04:53 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/4 "2024-07-27T04:53:21Z")
Move out and tell them it is unhabitable Find somewhere else ---
**Author:** ![Colin3](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/colin3/32/450_2.png) [@Colin3](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Colin3)\ **Post date:** [27 July 2024 06:57 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/5 "2024-07-27T06:57:44Z")
Did not view . Big mistake. Now you want out . ---
**Author:** ![David122](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/david122/32/1449_2.png) [@David122](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/David122)\ **Post date:** [27 July 2024 10:04 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/6 "2024-07-27T10:04:40Z")
Try to negotiate with the agent/landlord to get it professionally cleaned. What does your tenancy agreement or inventory say about the condition of the property at the start and how it must be handed back? ---
**Author:** ![Asyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/asyd/32/23130_2.png) [@Asyd](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Asyd)\ **Post date:** [27 July 2024 18:16 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/7 "2024-07-27T18:16:17Z")
I agree ! But didn’t have any other option as traveling to another city for a viewing(on not preferred dates) is not always feasible. ---
**Author:** ![Asyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/asyd/32/23130_2.png) [@Asyd](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Asyd)\ **Post date:** [28 July 2024 11:43 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/9 "2024-07-28T11:43:49Z")
Thanks ! Your opinion is quite helpful. I emailed the whole list of wear and tears and all the other flaws along with the pictures .z ---
**Author:** ![Martin41](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/martin41/32/17370_2.png) [@Martin41](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Martin41)\ **Post date:** [28 July 2024 13:35 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/10 "2024-07-28T13:35:31Z")
How does your description of the property differ from the inventory? I would suggest you mark these issues on the inventory and the discuss with them whether it does not match the description of the check in inventory then you agree remedial action between you. If it is a case you have changed your mind regarding your chosen property, I would discuss with your landlord whether they are prepared to release you early form the AST and what would be the associated costs for you ---
**Author:** ![Asyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/asyd/32/23130_2.png) [@Asyd](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Asyd)\ **Post date:** [29 July 2024 17:15 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/11 "2024-07-29T17:15:00Z")
Thanks ! I got the inventory later after 3 days of moving in and I emailed them about the differences with a picture proof . ---
**Author:** ![Asyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/asyd/32/23130_2.png) [@Asyd](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Asyd)\ **Post date:** [29 July 2024 17:17 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/12 "2024-07-29T17:17:30Z")
I just made the kitchen operational yesterday and to my surprise the pipe from underneath the kitchen sink is leaking and water overflew on the kitchen floor . Emailed them but got no response from the except for getting an inventory list . Will I have to arrange a plumber on my own ? ---
**Author:** ![Karl11](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/karl11/32/35316_2.png) [@Karl11](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Karl11)\ **Post date:** [29 July 2024 17:42 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/13 "2024-07-29T17:42:15Z")
Is it a leak, or the spout underneath the sink for the washer / dishwasher that isn’t being used, and therefore open-ended? If you have only just notified them of the leak yesterday, then you need to allow them time to fix, bearing in mind it was Sunday, so they may have only just picked up your email today. I’d put a bowl under the leak, and empty as required. I’d try calling if its urgent. ---
**Author:** ![Asyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/asyd/32/23130_2.png) [@Asyd](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Asyd)\ **Post date:** [31 July 2024 13:25 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/14 "2024-07-31T13:25:49Z")
No response yet . It’s been 3 days . It’s very difficult to wipe off the kitchen floor every time after every use. It overflows every time . ---
**Author:** ![Graham](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/graham/32/450_2.png) [@Graham](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Graham)\ **Post date:** [31 July 2024 14:44 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/15 "2024-07-31T14:44:28Z")
If they don’t fix it then inform council that property is not habitable and they will get an enforcement officer out. Is the leaking pipe the clean water coming in or waste water going out? You may have found root cause of all problems. What they are doing is failing to acknowledge problem so clock doesn’t start ticking. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Z](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/a_z/32/450_2.png) [@A\_Z](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/A_Z)\ **Post date:** [31 July 2024 16:12 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/16 "2024-07-31T16:12:18Z")
In law they have to respond within a reasonable amount of time Normally 14 days in writing 28 days to compete Write to them and say it’s uninhabitable you’ll get it repaired at their cost through rent or David writes regarding voiding the contract You will need to find his post ---
**Author:** ![Karl11](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/karl11/32/35316_2.png) [@Karl11](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Karl11)\ **Post date:** [31 July 2024 19:37 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/17 "2024-07-31T19:37:15Z")
What overflows… from where? We are still not clear where the water is coming from to advise properly ---
**Author:** ![Gary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/gary/32/16502_2.png) [@Gary](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Gary)\ **Post date:** [1 August 2024 14:55 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/18 "2024-08-01T14:55:16Z")
Completely disagree if you are that bothered about where you are moving to you would find time to view (speak to employer look at transport times if you dont drive) you have to put some effort in ---
**Author:** ![Gary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/gary/32/16502_2.png) [@Gary](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Gary)\ **Post date:** [1 August 2024 14:57 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/19 "2024-08-01T14:57:55Z")
He says the pipe under the sink is overflowing and from another of his posts it reads as though it is everytime he uses the sink ---
**Author:** ![Karl11](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/karl11/32/35316_2.png) [@Karl11](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Karl11)\ **Post date:** [1 August 2024 15:07 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/20 "2024-08-01T15:07:24Z")
Its the word ‘overflowing’ which confuses me, as a hole in a pipe or a loose connection would probably be described as a ‘leak’. That’s why I wondered if it was an open ‘washing machine spout’, as that would ‘overflow’, if lots of water was tipped down the sink, especially in my experience, if its soapy water. ---
**Author:** ![Asyd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/asyd/32/23130_2.png) [@Asyd](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Asyd)\ **Post date:** [1 August 2024 16:45 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861/21 "2024-08-01T16:45:51Z")
Thank you Karl11! It was the spout and I figured out after reading your comment . Got it sorted . Thank you! [Next page](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/bad-smell-in-the-house/68861.md?page=2)