Where do I stand with getting my Landlord to clean mould and fungus off of the windows??

Question

I rent an apartment within an old converted factory and I have three windows which are all about 5m high and they are the original cast iron single glazed windows. In front of them are new uPVC double glazed units which open into the room at about 3m up. All of the original frame has mould and fur-like fungus growing on it and I can't get access to clean it but every time I open the window I can't smell it and I wonder if it is a hazard to health.

The landlord got window cleaners round to sort it but they just took pictures and said that the whole window unit would have to be taken out to be cleaned and the landlord won't pay out to have this done.

So I am here to find out where I stand and wondered if anyone had any advice...

Answer 1

So how much to you want to upset your landlord?  Check with your local authority whether this comes under housing or public health (it varies between different councils).  They will send an inspector round and if it's a health hazard he will serve notice on your landlord to get it fixed.  But  if you do this your landlord won't love you any more.

Answer 2

Mould and fungus can be dangerous, indeed. In this case your landlord is obliged to follow some health and safety procedures. Contact the inspectors, who signed for the premises and ask why it is approved. You can't push your landlord but council inspectors could.

Answer 3

Yep! You have a serious health problem that could be reported, will probally have you removed from the unit. So just start looking for somewhere else to live cause your health is more important than the headache, and if your landlord is a jerk than just report him to the health department, or city , take a few pictures with you when you report it, the fact that he allready had someone look at it and than refused to act has put him at total fault, can't plead ignorance.

Answer 4

You need to contact the owner again and tell him that this type of mold can be a serious health issue and if he is unable to afford to hire someone to take care of it, then he needs to do the job himself. If he still refuses you can tell him that he leaves you no choice but to contact the health department. Just be sure this is what you want to do. Once you take this type of action your landlord will no longer like you and this can make living there miserable. You may just want to move instead.  

Answer 5

First off...the obvious...stop opening the windows. This stuff is not helthy for you to breath.

Secondly...I would certainly think your landlord would be responsible for the condition existing with these particular windows. They require a cleaning process that goes beyond the normal expectations of responsibilies for a tentant if they require being dismantled.

By placing the new units over the old... a "greenhouse" was basically created between the two that invites the growth of these nasties. In short, the mold & fungus, etc. will just eventually re-grow between the units even if the landlord can get them properly cleaned this time.

And if the problem is this bad...you can bet the last tentants spoke to the landlord about it too.

Clearly the landlord is not prepared to address this problem seriously ....to do so would clearly be a costly venture.

You could try taking the matter to your area Renters Board or Counsel...or what ever it is called in your area.

They could best advise you of what your legal options are.

I can tell you that to "with-hold" rent (in protest of non-action on your landlord's part) requires that you place the money in a special bank account separate from your personal account. You can't just "not" pay or stick it in an envelope somewhere.

That's just "failure to pay rent" and your landlord can evict you for that. You must prove you were prepared to pay your rent in full on the day it is owed.

Your only other choice is to not open the windows until you can move out....spend as little time in your apartment as posssible, keep the air circulating with fans in each room, sleep with a filtration mask on (that's when your lungs are most at risk) spray for mold daily and clean all surfaces (especially fabrics) frequently.

Answer 6

the spores of the mould is very dangerous to your health, your landlord is responsible, you can always get your own surveyor in and get a report done