Out of the mould
Question
I recently discovered mould growing in my bedsit, directly behind my bed. Before this I had been suffering from flu and depression. I advised the landlord and asked if he could place me somewhere else within the converted house I live in, but he said there was no room and I would have to move out.
I've spent the past 10 days staying at a friend's house as I cannot afford to find another place straight away. I still have to move my things out of the bedsit and my landlord is going to charge for the week or so I haven't been there. Can he do this even though I had to move out for health reasons due to poor living conditions?
Answer
Although you've had to put up with poor living conditions and bad treatment from your landlord, you are liable for rent until the tenancy is ended correctly, either by you or your landlord. This is because until the end of the notice period you still have a right to occupy the bedsit. Unfortunately, this is the case even if you moved out for health reasons.
You may be able to claim compensation from your landlord for the bad conditions. A claim can be made in the Small Claims Court. You can find information on making a claim on the website of Her Majesty's Courts Service. If you decide to take this route, you'll need to get legal advice in order to maximize your chances of succeeding.
You say you're staying with a friend at the moment. If you're not able to stay with them for very long, there are other housing options available to you which may be worth considering. A local advice service may be able to help you with this.
Dealing with housing problems can be a real strain on your emotions, especially when you've already been feeling depressed. If you're still feeling low, it might be worth having a chat with your doctor (GP) to see if there is any treatment available to help you. Alternatively, talking to a trusted friend or family member may help you to assess your situation more clearly.
If there's no one close to you who you feel comfortable talking to, you could try calling SANEline. This is a national mental health helpline offering confidential emotional support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems. They will be able to give you the time and space to talk about how you are feeling. If you feel this could help, you could call them on 0845 767 8000.
Updated: 15/04/2010
Question answered by Shelter
