A Dundee letting agency has been ordered to carry out repairs to a flat after a tenant complained that damp was making him ill.
Lee McArtney, 25, said his sitting room has been almost uninhabitable for the past four months as the walls and furniture became covered in mould.
He took his case to the Private Rented Housing Committee after claiming that Direct Lettings had blamed the damp on his “lifestyle”.
But the committee has now ruled that the landlord had “failed to ensure that the house is wind and watertight” and ordered them to carry out the necessary repairs on the Court Street flat within six weeks.
The decision notice said: “The landlord has failed to ensure that the house is wind and watertight and in all other aspects reasonably fit for human habitation, that the structure and exterior of the house (including drains, gutters and external pipes) are in reasonable state of repair and in proper working order and that any fixtures and fittings and appliances provided by the landlord under the tenancy are in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order.
“In particular the Private Rented Housing Committee requires the landlord to repair/replace the shower door; clear the gutters at the rear of the property of vegetation so that they are in proper working order; repair the leak in the roof at the vent stack to ensure it is wind and water tight; instruct a reputable timber/damp proofing specialist to investigate the source of the dampness apparent within the property and thereafter carry out any necessary works to ensure that the house is wind and water tight and in all other aspects reasonably fit for human habitation.”
Lee claimed that the agency had told him he had caused the damp by not opening the windows, at one point blaming his breathing for the condensation on the windows.
He complained of migraines and a blocked nose, which he said were being caused by the conditions in the flat.
A Direct Lettings spokesman said: “Direct Lettings can report that any outstanding works have been instructed in accordance with the guidelines.”
Lee told The Courier that he was happy with the committee’s decision.
He said: “It’s a relief, because I was being blamed for the mould.
“I’m still not sure if it was there before I moved in and they’d just painted over it, or if it appeared after I moved in.
“The specialist coming in will probably be able to tell.
“Either way I’m happy it will be fixed.”