Tenant Rights/Rental Advice -Please HELP!

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Edited by BuzzyBee

It sounds like the problem with mould is greater than a dehumidifier/heat pump could fix?
Not sure about your rights as far as the fixed term goes but just wanted to suggest that you document every point of contact you've had with the agents so far (and going forward) so that if you do want to get out of the contract you have clear evidence. Don't know if you have done so already but I'd be getting in touch with the tenancy tribunal - they should be able to give you plenty of advice.
I really hope it works out for you as it can't be much fun.

Hmm...yeah I'd have to agree with ellen in terms of the mould being a bigger problem.. Chances are in a place that damp, the mould will be in the walls...so even with "clean" curtains your health can still be effected by the spores in the walls. As we all know, this can make you really sick. I know it was a huge thing to move, but you have to think of your health and wellbeing.

If the owner was too cheap/useless to wash the curtains, I doubt he will fork out for a heat pump! Some landlords just don't give a crap about their tenants as long as the rental income comes in.

This part of the tenancy website looks like it may be of use to you anyway in terms of the steps to take:Sorting out renting problems

Instead of a heatpump sounds like they should be putting in HRV or DVS to acually dry the house out...then you won't get the mould and dripping windows etc. I would have thought that the landlord or property manager should be responsible for the condition of the house as i'm sure they would expect it to be done when you move out so it should have been done when you moved in.

Black mould is super bad.....make sure you meantion to the tenancy people you talk to about it. It's dangerous stuff.

Definitely stand your ground. I'd tell them that you want the curtains replaced. I wouldn't put it through your washing machine cause then those spores will be in there as well.

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Edited by BuzzyBee

Dont have much more to add - but fingers crossed that you get something sorted.

Aw that sucks and I agree with everyone else cleaning the curtains won't help in the long term. Our house was very bad for weeping windows, I would go round each morning with two towels mopping it all up and we have two heat pumps and good insulation. Our window sills also use to get mouldy and the backs of the curtains in the worst places. The only thing that stopped it was getting a HRV system installed, which honestly I should become a spokesperson for because I just can't get over how good it really is.

I hope your landlord sorts something out for you. I've been in both situations as a renter and as a landlord and unfortunately I know that some landlords suck and properties that are run through property managers seem to be the worse. We were right royally screwed over when we first moved to NZ and we ended up paying for two rentals at once just so we could get out of the first place which isn't a position we should have been put in but thankfully we had some cash to do that otherwise I don't know what we would have done. Since that instance when we rented we always went private and not fixed term, now that we are the landlord we rent privately and not on a fixed term and we try to fix any problems our tenant has as quickly as poss, it makes no sense to piss your tenants off.

Definitely document everything, even if its just so you can break the agreement without any penalties and talk to the tenancy tribunal for advice as well. Citizens advice might be able to help you out too and I would also talk to winz as they might be able to help out (with moving costs if needed) and really the more people you talk to/ask for help the better.

Firstly, ick at all the mould! Not good at all...

I guess the thing is... you rent the house as is right? And unless it is written somewhere (and signed by both you and the landlord/PM) that certain issues will be rectified by the landlord prior to you moving in, or by agreement, then you get stuck with what you pay for unfortunately.

As for the windows in the meantime, invest $5 in a squeegie thing (like a window wiper with a catcher). We own our own home and have major issues with condensation (and pay double what you do - ah the joys) so every morning I do the windows and check for mould in the toilet (which never gets heated as is at the back of the house).

No point in letting the windows stay weeping - otherwise you're just paying to evaporate the water, and of course it evaporates into the air and when it gets cool again it turns back into condensation.

Good luck with the property managers though, I would just keep hounding them (and noting every call/letter as well as ringing the tenancy tribunal) and hopefully you can get something resolved.

Would probably pay, if you do stay, to get the carpets cleaned too, as heaps of things can live in there which will trigger asthma esp when cold.

Oh I agree with emz on the carpet thing! Hire the rug doctor, its SOOOOOO worth the $$, I think its about $30 or $40 for 4 hours...cant remember, but we did the carpets in our hosue before we moved in and the water was black!! The caroets looked and smelt MUCH better once we were done and I felt better about caden crawling and walking over it.

I hope you get it all sorted out soon hun. Oh and definitely get some of that detol spray I told you about, as it will kill some of the mould, so spray it round the windows after u have wiped them and on the walls too and your couches, even the carpet, spray spray srpay!
Its great stuff!!