From another blog, there may be a solution here for all parties
Over 80% of so-called damp in Flats houses are Tenant lead. Fact. Drying clothes indoors, on Clothes horses or radiators creates condensation, bath washing again causes condensation, showering causes condensation but in this case it can be reduced if wiping the shower wall and doors down to reduce the amount of water that is going to evaporate into the air. Cooking in the kitchen, gas appliances, animals, every human produces a certain amount of humidity into the room or property, approx a pint and a half per day but will stand corrected on that number in cold weather, Variations in weather will cause condensation on the windows if not properly ventilated or wipe down daily, or add temperature differences.
All of this causes condensation in the property so you have a combination of tenancy lead Contribution and weather.
Add in the lack of ventilation in the property due to either of the tenant not opening not just a window but windows on either side of the property to cause an airflow, no or inadequate ventilation in the bathroom, shower room if applicable and kitchen due to inadequate extractor fans or none at all, and the issue is compounded.
Cavity wall double glazing, trickle vents and roofing insulation all help to keep heating cost down, but that does not obviate the need for ventilation.
Then you consider the type of building, sometimes there are issues of damp and this can be addressed in the appropriate manner by the owner of the property, the council have some cheek in saying that landlords are bad when the council doesn’t even look after their own stock as recently approved by the number of payout out Compensation Payments having to make, as they are not always mandated by the same legislation with some exemption .
So back to your problem, Opening a window in one place isn’t the solution opening multiple windows to allow an airflow significantly improves airflow in the property. You haven’t stated whether you have fans in your kitchen or your bathroom. For both you need fans that run on after you turn the light off as this continues to extract humidity. The better ones are humidistat extractors which work on the level of humidity in a room and function full-time, when humidity levels are high they’re not an expensive thing to run. Alternatively there are full flow air systems which constantly change the air in the system again running on pence. There is a system on the market, forgive me, I forget the name of it, it’s used commonly in Europe, where it produces frequencies that actually hold back water in a property, I know that sounds bizarre but it works in the most damp of places. I’ve seen this myself in action and it’s very good, maybe a bit of googling will help.
If you do any of the items as suggested in the first paragraph I suggest during wet periods which I appreciate is very difficult that you put items in the bathroom and close the door open the windows, or close the windows put in a dehumidifier and it will dry not only the room, but also the clothes reducing Humidity the rest of the property which would’ve transferred naturally
You asked why your bedroom was getting mouldy the simple answer is the transference of humidity. Humidity in the air will go to the coldest point in the property and will transfer from areas where the humidity is being generated i.e. the kitchen bathroom this is a common occurrence. If you are also sleeping in the bedroom, then the humidity you produce will add to this . You can reduce, not stop the amount of condensation by closing the bathroom doors at all times. Of course that means you need to ventilate the bathroom or the offending humidity area.
Referring to the council will not solve your problem they will come to say it the landlord’s fault.
Therefore, the options are;
1 Reduce. The tenant contributions.
2 Ensure that the electric fans are working in the bathroom and kitchen and that you have run-on fans to continue extracting the humidity for at least 10 minutes. And the doors are closed as this is an action.
3 Work with your landlord showing that you have done the above as this will help the landlord to identify Where the real issue is If not the above. Remember North walls are the worst in every property.
4 Appreciating you have to dry clothes and it’s not practical outside When you have the option of using a Laundrette or a specialised tumble dryer, if you have space or a dehumidifier in the bathroom as suggested.
5 when you have exhausted all of the above if you and the landlord agree to evaluate whether there is a contribution and what actions needs to be taken. You may reduce significantly you may never reduce all of it, but it may come to an acceptable level due to your way of life accommodation of factors
6 You have the option as you say you have a health problem to move out. You don’t have to stay in the property. No financial reason justifies your health being affected…
I have many years experience of working with tenants and landlords to identify, reduce or eliminate so-called damp or condensation in properties.
The above I would suggest would significantly aid reduction in any property.
My final point is always clean any mould appearing, it matters not how many times this is done, there are mould reducing spray, specialist paints, bleach if used appropriately and in the right volumes, so there is never an excuse in leaving mould appearing on the wall.
Wipe the walls down before the humidity arrives, and in a bizarre way you’re getting your daily exercise .
And as one landlord has said, it may have been Colin who is a major contributor, you look as though you’re going to go to the Council anyway. When the above will significantly help you resolve the issue.
It’s quite bizarre really when you look at the number of landlords who rent their own property and who truthfully don’t have an issue when they use the property themselves because it’s their own they take more care.
Good landlords Landlords will go through the above As a way of working with the tenant to build lasting and long tenancies together with a good relationship. That’s the way the PRS should work.
But as they say, it takes 2 to tango and you need good tenants to work with landlords