Having a damp problem in your home can cause damage to your property, furnishings, and health. When this happens, you may need to claim compensation for damp and mould.
Penetrating damp
Having penetrating damp can be a serious problem. Not only can it cause structural damage, it can also affect your health. If you’ve been affected, you may be able to claim compensation.
The first signs of penetrating damp are typically a damp patch on a wall or ceiling, and a musty smell. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, you should take action. You can contact your landlord to report the problem, or you can ask your local authority’s Environmental Health department to investigate.
As well as having an impact on your health, penetrating damp can also damage your belongings. It can rot timber, which can lead to wood infestation problems. In addition, it can exacerbate asthma symptoms. It can also cause unsightly stains on your walls.
If you have suffered from penetrating damp, you can seek compensation from your landlord. However, it is important to make sure you know what your rights are.
Rising damp
Having an unreasonable amount of damp in your home can put the health and safety of your family at risk. If you’re having problems with your property, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. This will help you to repair the damage that you have incurred.
The first step in making a claim for compensation is to report the problem to your landlord. This will mean that your landlord will have 30 days to fix the problem. If he refuses to do so, then you may be able to get some compensation.
Another way to report the problem is to make a free call to your local authority. You should also keep a record of any correspondence you have with your landlord. This will show that you are proactive and are aware of your rights.
Condensation
Unless you have a damp problem, you are unlikely to find your landlord willing to pay you to dry off your sock at night. That said, if you are one of the many tenants who have become stuck in a tight spot, there are plenty of resources on the web that can help you out. The most important thing is to keep your wits about you and take the necessary precautions. If you are unfortunate enough to end up with a damp apartment or house, you might have to move on, but if you are smart you will be able to stay in your present digs. Luckily, there are many free and low cost solutions out there, which you can use to spruce up your living quarters and save your sanity.
Damage to property and furnishings
Thousands of pounds of property value can be lost to damp and mould. This damage is often caused by structural issues such as rising damp and penetrating damp. Landlords have a legal responsibility to remedy these problems.
If your landlord does not carry out repair work or fix the problem, you may be able to claim for compensation. These claims can be made under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The act states that the structure and the exterior of a dwelling-house must be fit for human habitation. This means that the property must be free of structural and water-related damage.
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 has strengthened the requirement that properties are fit for human habitation. This means that landlords will now have easier access to carry out repairs.
