The ingenuity of the human race knows no bounds, especially, it seems, when it comes to exploiting opportunities.
We have all become used to the constant phone calls. Even when you block the numbers they still manage to get through.
Both foreign and UK call centres hide behind spurious numbers that they somehow manage to generate that often identifies as a local number on the caller display. Answer it at your peril, give some rude response to the fishing for your details, hang up, and block the number. It doesn’t stop them because a few minutes later they call back hiding behind another cloned set of digits.
Some say we should sympathise with these people who have to do this for a living. My PR man takes a different view, literally blowing the whistle on them down the phone.
An old friend of his used to tell the caller he was glad they’d phoned because he needed to confess the murder of his wife. That cleared the call faster than his “victim” could scream!
Now the PPI industry has bitten the dust, its perpetrators have hit on a new source of income – black mould in rented properties.
How cynical that in a matter of days after the inquest into the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak found that mould in his rented home contributed to his death PPI-style phone calls are now targeting tenants whose homes display signs of damp. The first I knew of this was when my lettings manager got just such a call on her home phone.
I suppose we shouldn’t be that surprised because that’s what modern technology has helped bring us. For all the good things there seems to be an equal number of bad ones such as phantom number generators and ever more ingenious ways of inveigling their way into our homes for these annoying callers.
So instead of callers asking if you’ve had an accident and want to make a claim, expect a string of “complaints” from tenants egged on by these claims companies. And, from what I’ve read in the past, it seems that once you’ve agreed to go ahead with them it’s impossible for claimant tenants to pull out without being landed with a bill for costs.
Once locked in, they have to go on even if they realise there’s no hope of winning with honest evidence about their homes.
It’s a distressing and disturbing turn of events that we may well see more of as 2023 progresses.
* Colin Shairp is director Fine and Country Southern Hampshire and Town and Country Southern *
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Unless there's a fault with the property, which in most cases there isn't, the black mould is down to the way people live, turn down the heating to save money, close all windows tightly, seal up all ventilation , I even visited a property this week to find the bathroom extractor fan taped up, drying wet clothes inside , there's plenty of mould treatments on supermarket shelves, a quick spray and wipe it away
Completely agree, only had a call yesterday from a tenant only to find the extractor kill switch was off becuase they didnt like the noise, but still wanted to complain there was mould developing around their bathroom window that they never opened either.
Andrew, you never said a truer word, I have a relatively modern Detached house never any mould or damp since built over 40 years ago, until a particular Tenants came and blacked his room completely in 6 months, on first floor not any other room had it. When he left I redone the room and never any since either. Why should they bother fine the landlord.
A no fault penalty.
The same thing is happening with the military. People from Africa are claiming they can't take the cold and are suing on that basis. However it was Thatcher or major Introduced legislation to make it possible, Strange thing about that Somali family where were the medical professionals ?
Very good point Edwin and as tragic as this case is what were they doing ? clean the mould away, every day if need be, ventilate and heat the property, being social housing there likely were faults with the property, but I blame the parents for the death of their child
Absolutely, a complete abrogation of personal responsibility!
When I come to redecorate I am going to use anti-mould paint everywhere, and use dampseal on the wall before any paper is put on. I think it is well worth the extra expense.
The tenants don't want to put the heating on because of the cost.
It’s not a cure. It may be called anti-mould paint, but it only inhibits growth to a certain extent, not a miracle cure. If they cannot/do not put the heating on, they are damaging the property and already cannot afford to live independently.
That is very true, Luke.
Ellie, Very good and use it on the wall you are going to paint as well / Thompson white breathable water proof paint especially if you have solid external Walls (no cavity).
Then Crown Clean Extreme Mould Inhibiting Scrubbable Matt (internet paint shed) it will last and wash it all you want it will come up like new, £65.for 5 litres, limited colours keep it standard you are a landlord like white or Magnolia probably otherwise mixing causes problems.
Thank you very much for that wonderful information Michael!
I'll give that a go Michael, I have a property coming vacant in Jan with a bit of damp in a small ground floor clock room
Andrew, that Crown Clean extreme paint that Michael recommends is a bit cheaper on Ebay.
I think that when it comes down to it, tenants should be held accountable for their own actions.
“ I have black mould” “Damp in the property”
We call over to investigate the property, we notice extractors turned off, cooker hoods off, windows closed, bags on the floors. Clothes left on carpets and they are damp due to drying on the radiators.
“Agents” has to educate tenants on the basics of how to live, why is that an agents responsibility ?
We tell them to go sit in a car with the engine off and windows closed for 20 min and see that happened ?
Tenant said yes it’s all condensates up? What ya point ?
Agent “that’s what is happening to your home when you don’t open a windows or use extractors “
Tenant “I am not Spending my money on this house to heat it and vent it when it’s not mine “
This is what we have to deal with every date.
Mould on the grout, why are you not cleaning the shower after you use it?
Why are you leaving your soap suds to sit on the grout and silicon ??
People don’t help themselves at all..
When I was a younger my parent they teached
me to do the basic like change a fuse; light bulbs;
How to keep a home clean and tidy; how to look after drains, doors, locks, not to rag handles and doors ect how to tidy and cut plants in the seasons it I spilt anything to wipe it up. and much much more by the age of 13 , I could do everything .
So why are the people of today not been teached the basics from there own parents ??
Tenants should he ashamed that they don’t know how to change a fuse in a plug, or that they admit not to heat the property at they will not spend there own money on the house.
Agent “ we service notice “ if the tenant isn’t looking after the landlords investment.
End of
Ellie dearest that’s a different one you are missing something.
Must say Mould Inhibitor on the tin.
The one you are looking at says say stain resistant.
Michael, it is Ebay number 304209498240
£56 for 5 litres, but it is "to clear", so could the paint be old?
Thanks Michael. I think I have found the right one. Unfortunately, you can't link to things on this website.
Thanks Ellie I've just bought one
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