MTKB
25-09-2011, 15:54 PM
We have a recurring leak on the ceiling of one of our bedrooms with mold growth.
The first occasion was two years ago, water started dripping through the ceiling light and the problem was located at the bathtub at the flat above (rented property of the same landlord). Landlord brought in their plumber to repair a week later and a handyman to paint our ceiling with fungicidal coating - according to them. We don't believe this was the correct approach but the room stopped smelling damp and there were no further leaks, well, in that part of the house at least...
A year and a half later we spotted discoloured patches forming on the ceiling and small bubbles under the paint across the ceiling. The damp smell was back and we suspected the same problem, so we handed our landlord a letter for recurrence and asked for an inspection and suitable solution.
The landlord is quite old and sometimes needs a bit of reminding. Generally tries to get things done, but after a second letter (3 weeks later) we had to chase them up. We were told verbally that a roof repair was needed and a scaffold would be set up for a couple of weeks.
However...we had strong doubts about the way the landlord reached to that conclusion. We figured out that nobody came in our flat to check the ceiling after all and suspect a separate leak at the top floor from the roof led them to connect the two issues. The roofing company spent longer that planned on the roof but completed the roof work.
Just before the roofing company came in, we had no rain and still noticed dripping water from the ceiling at mornings and evenings randomly which supported our theory. The landlord brought in their handy man to tart up the ceiling and repaint which is clearly the completely wrong approach.
A month after the roof repair we got discoloured patches again, mold smell, large bubbles under the fresh paint and a line of black mold forming near the coving.
We know this has to be done properly and want to be firm. The main issue is that we do not trust the work their people do judging from previous bad workmanship in our flat.
We are thinking to get a quote and second opinion from two/three companies and produce a letter with all the details, then demand for the appropriate work to be done according to these standards, considering that this is the third time we are having the leak. We suspect the entire ceiling may need removing and a new board fitted. Another thing to add is that we are chronically asthmatic.
Advice about the repair and approach to landlord is most welcome!
The first occasion was two years ago, water started dripping through the ceiling light and the problem was located at the bathtub at the flat above (rented property of the same landlord). Landlord brought in their plumber to repair a week later and a handyman to paint our ceiling with fungicidal coating - according to them. We don't believe this was the correct approach but the room stopped smelling damp and there were no further leaks, well, in that part of the house at least...
A year and a half later we spotted discoloured patches forming on the ceiling and small bubbles under the paint across the ceiling. The damp smell was back and we suspected the same problem, so we handed our landlord a letter for recurrence and asked for an inspection and suitable solution.
The landlord is quite old and sometimes needs a bit of reminding. Generally tries to get things done, but after a second letter (3 weeks later) we had to chase them up. We were told verbally that a roof repair was needed and a scaffold would be set up for a couple of weeks.
However...we had strong doubts about the way the landlord reached to that conclusion. We figured out that nobody came in our flat to check the ceiling after all and suspect a separate leak at the top floor from the roof led them to connect the two issues. The roofing company spent longer that planned on the roof but completed the roof work.
Just before the roofing company came in, we had no rain and still noticed dripping water from the ceiling at mornings and evenings randomly which supported our theory. The landlord brought in their handy man to tart up the ceiling and repaint which is clearly the completely wrong approach.
A month after the roof repair we got discoloured patches again, mold smell, large bubbles under the fresh paint and a line of black mold forming near the coving.
We know this has to be done properly and want to be firm. The main issue is that we do not trust the work their people do judging from previous bad workmanship in our flat.
We are thinking to get a quote and second opinion from two/three companies and produce a letter with all the details, then demand for the appropriate work to be done according to these standards, considering that this is the third time we are having the leak. We suspect the entire ceiling may need removing and a new board fitted. Another thing to add is that we are chronically asthmatic.
Advice about the repair and approach to landlord is most welcome!