Damp cause by a possible damaged roof or capped chimney

[asha24]

Hi all,

I moved into a rental property last month and noticed some damp on the chimney breast in the loft room during the viewing. I spoke with the landlord about it, and she mentioned that it was likely due to the house being empty for 4 months, which led to condensation build-up. At the time, that seemed reasonable.

To dry out the inner wall, I’ve been keeping the loft room ventilated by opening the window for 12 hours a day. However, with how cold it’s been and having two young children, I can no longer maintain this.

Currently cant afford to purchase a dehumidifier kids and wife bankrupted me for Christmas.

The landlord has said that if the issue persists by March, she will have it fixed.

I’ve attached a couple of photos showing the problem, but before I chase this up with the letting agency, I’d like some advice. Are there any signs visible in the photos that suggest what might be causing the issue, or any advice on how I should approach the agency?

 

[23vc]

That looks like a leaking roof, not condensation, and totally unacceptable to tell you to wait until March!

 

[accelerator]

As it's around the chimney breast, it's likely the chimney is leaking. Could be water getting in through the chimney pots, failed pointing, or failed flashing. It could also be that the roof is leaking.

If you can take a look in the attic, that might tell you more.

100% that is not condensation, it is water ingress or something leaking.

If renting, you are within your rights to ask that it is investigated and fixed immediately, as it's a serious issue.

 

[23vc]

If you can take a look in the attic, that might tell you more.

I thought that, but then realised the photo is taken in the (converted) loft.

 

[asha24]

So this room has a converted loft and when we first moved in it would dry out about to say 50% if leaving the window open pretty much 24/7 just isn't acceptable for us and as soon as the heavier winds and rain came back it came straight back in almost the same pattern

 

[asha24]

Ive done abit more digging and found a old listing for the property back in January 2024

And there are signs of the same dampness, near the roof on the chimney breast, with the recent storms I believe what ever is damaged on the roof has gotten worse, to add it seems to stay in this exact pattern and not spread what could that mean that potential its been fixed in the past but now due to salt depoists in the chimney these areas are prone to pulling high moisture in? I'm somewhat clueless but after being in our older propety and being served a S21 evictions notife after requesting repairs to be done *repairs was finished and a month later we was served the notice* me and my wife have high anxiety about these sort of situations

 

[accelerator]

So this room has a converted loft and when we first moved in it would dry out about to say 50% if leaving the window open pretty much 24/7 just isn't acceptable for us and as soon as the heavier winds and rain came back it came straight back in almost the same pattern

As above, either the chimney or the roof are leaking. It is without doubt an unacceptable situation. I do understand if you are renting you are worried about requesting a repair, but you are being perfectly reasonable. There's no doubt that it should be fixed immediately. It's against the law to evict someone because they requested reasonable repairs.

As a first step, I would inform your agent of the problem and ask them to address it. Hopefully they will do something. See what happens.

If nothing happens, then you need to start making more noise, and recording dates of e-mails, photos etc.

The situation is the property probably needs an expensive roof repair and the landlord doesn't want to do it. That's a difficult situation to be in, but it's the landlord's problem and you're not at fault.

 

[asha24]

As above, either the chimney or the roof are leaking. It is without doubt an unacceptable situation. I do understand if you are renting you are worried about requesting a repair, but you are being perfectly reasonable. There's no doubt that it should be fixed immediately. It's against the law to evict someone because they requested reasonable repairs.

As a first step, I would inform your agent of the problem and ask them to address it. Hopefully they will do something. See what happens.

If nothing happens, then you need to start making more noise, and recording dates of e-mails, photos etc.

The situation is the property probably needs an expensive roof repair and the landlord doesn't want to do it. That's a difficult situation to be in, but it's the landlord's problem and you're not at fault.

So i looked into some previous listing's and if u look in the images above u and actually see a lot smaller of a damp line across the chimney breast, me and my partner have high anxiety about asking for repairs, in our last property it was bought by a couple in Sweden they never seen the property and just hired a company to do a renovation to make modern, house had previous damp issues that was clear as day after 2-3 months when it started pushing through the paint, we requested it to be repaired, whole bottom floor of the house had to be tanked and roof replaced once these was finished and the plaster dried out we asked for the propety to be painted back to white and we was served a s21.. as you can imagine with two under two we was very stressed, I have emailed the agency with my request for it to be inspected and repaired.

 

[accelerator]

Yes I quite understand. Let's hope your agent does too. At the end of the day the house is currently substandard and it's also in the landlords best interests to fix it. If it's left, further damage will be done. You aren't being unreasonable.

 

[asha24]

Yes I quite understand. Let's hope your agent does too. At the end of the day the house is currently substandard and it's also in the landlords best interests to fix it. If it's left, further damage will be done. You aren't being unreasonable.

Thank you for the help and reassurance, now we wait for there response