Damp and mould in social housing can cause tenants a myriad of issues, from damaged belongings to severe health problems. At Bartlett’s, our leading housing disrepair solicitors specialise in assisting both private and social tenants in resolving damp and mould in their homes and securing the compensation they deserve.
To speak to our housing disrepair experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
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What Causes Damp And Mould In Social Housing?
There are three primary causes of damp and mould in homes. They are as follows:
- Rising damp.
- Penetrating damp.
- Condensation.• Rising damp.
Rising damp is more prevalent in older homes. It occurs when the damp-proof course of a property fails and can cause damp or wet patches on the walls, rotten floorboards, and a musty smell, among other issues.
Penetrating Damp.
Penetrating damp is caused by problems with a building’s structure that enable water to enter. The types of defects that can lead to penetrating damp include a damaged roof, leaking gutters, and broken seals around doors. Signs of penetrating damp include damp and mould patches, rotting skirting boards, and misshapen plaster.
Condensation.
Condensation is the leading cause of damp and mould. It is a result of warm air coming into contact with cold surfaces and turning into water. Condensation is due to insufficient ventilation, which makes acts such as drying clothes indoors or boiling water on the hob problematic.
How Common Is Damp And Mould In Social Housing?
Government research indicates that most social housing providers are diligent and provide safe, warm homes free from damp and mould for their tenants. It is estimated that 3-4% of social housing homes suffer from some damp and mould, 1-2% have serious damp and mould issues, and 0.2% have very severe damp and mould problems. However, given the large number of social housing homes in the UK, these apparently small numbers still mean that nearly 90,000 social housing homes suffer from some form of damp and mould and over 8,000 have a severe problem.
Who Is Responsible For Damp And Mould In Social Housing?
The Government has clearly stated that landlords cannot blame damp and mould in social housing homes on the tenants and their lifestyle choices. It is up to the landlord to look into the cause of the problem and take steps to fix it. For example, if a property suffers from condensation, the landlord cannot blame the tenant for drying clothes indoors. They must instead provide proper ventilation.
What Can You Do About Damp And Mould In Social Housing?
The first thing you should do if you have an issue with damp and mould in social housing is to contact your housing provider and notify them of the issue. If they fail to take steps to resolve the problem, you can take legal action against them, asking the Court to order them to remedy the issue and pay you compensation.
What Compensation Will You Receive For Damp And Mould In Social Housing?
The compensation you can expect to receive for damp and mould in social housing depends on a variety of factors. They include how severe the damp and mould are, how much rent you pay, and whether the issue caused you or your family members health problems or damaged your belongings.
Our housing disrepair solicitors have vast experience in damp and mould in social housing claims. We will review your case, assess the evidence, and advise on the level of compensation you will likely receive.
How Do You Bring A Claim For Damp And Mould In Social Housing?
To bring a claim for damp and mould in social housing, you need evidence to prove your case. Examples of the types of evidence that can help include the following:
- Photographic evidence of the damp and mould.
- The communications you have had with your landlord relating to the issue.
- Details of any health problems caused by the damp and mould.
- Details of any financial losses.
- Photographic evidence of any possessions ruined by the damp and mould.
If you don’t have all the evidence listed above, we will help you collate it. We will then contact your landlord to notify them that you have sought legal advice on your position and will be taking further action if they do not remedy the problem at that stage.
Often, communication from a solicitors’ firm encourages even the least cooperative landlord to address the problem to avoid Court proceedings. If yours still refuses, we will talk to you about issuing a claim. If you decide to proceed, we will guide you through the process, working tirelessly until your living conditions are as they should be and you have received the compensation to which you are entitled.
To speak to our housing disrepair experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
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