renting a house problem - please help!

[Brains]

First issue is to alert the Agent/Landlord there is a serious issue.
You then want to know know, in writing, what he is going to do about it and when
(Remember he probably wants it s fixed just as much as you do)

If the answer from the landlord does not fit in with want you want (for example he may need to re-plaster walls, which is a filthy job, and would seriously warrant you moving out) then consider weather you stay or you go.

Re the damage to clothing and furniture, as it's your 'goods and chattels' that is not the landlords responsibility, and one to take up with your insurance company.
(For example the damp may have ruined your genuine original of the Mona Lisa, the landlord would not be responsible for insuring or replacing that either)

In my experience with damp is first you have to find out why, it doesn't "just happen",
it is rarely leaking roofs, more common is blocked or leaking gutters, or properties with too many people/animals, blocked vents, internal clothes drying and big furniture items up against outside walls without an air gap. or in basements look for blocked rain drains, raised flower beds and badly laid patios

 

[Beebo]

Re the damage to clothing and furniture, as it's your 'goods and chattels' that is not the landlords responsibility, and one to take up with your insurance company.

It is very unlikely that damage caused by mould or damp will be covered under an insurance policy.

 

[Brains]

It is very unlikely that damage caused by mould or damp will be covered under an insurance policy.

I don't see why not, I have had a living room full of furniture and carpets replaced when a water tank in the roof burst
Mould and damp is just a flood in slow motion.

Either way it's not the landlords responsibility
(Unless you can claim off his insurance which is unlikely as tenants 'good and chattels' are usually specifically excluded for typical Landlord insurance, and also in the standard wording of the AST)

 

[Accy cyclist]

What's it like where you are? Private rent is going up and up around here! I'm glad I didn't move out of my housing association flat the year before last, when I viewed two private rental flats. One was £100 a month more than my H/A flat, the better flat in a better town was £200 a month more. God knows what their landlords are asking now, but I'm just glad it's not me being forced to pay more and more for either of them. Terrace house rent, which is the most affordable round here was about £450 to £490 less than a year ago. They are now asking a whopping £600 to £650 a month for a 2 up 2 down terrace in to put it bluntly shoot hole parts of town!

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!

 

[Slick]

What's it like where you are? Private rent is going up and up around here! I'm glad i didn't move out of my housing association flat the year before last, when I viewed two private rental flats. One was £100 a month more than my H/A flat, the better flat in a better town was £200 a month more. God knows what their landlords are asking now, but I'm just glad it's not me being forced to pay more and more for either of them. Terrace house rent, which is the most affordable round here was about £450 to £490 less than a year ago. They are now asking a whopping £600 to £650 a month for a 2 up 2 down terrace in to put it bluntly shoot hole parts of town!

Pretty much the same story all over Accy. You did right sticking with the association, I reckon anyway as there are lots of stories like in the OP. I also reckon there is some hope though, as there is definitely a correction in both the rental and purchasing market going on right now.

 

[Accy cyclist]

They aren't too happy around here, regarding 'service charge' increases!
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co....ident-78-disgusted-onward-homes-charges-incre
I'm with Onward Homes, but the ones affected seem to be those in the sheltered housing schemes, like the one next to these flats. Talking to one bloke who lives there, he told me that what was once seen as a cheap flat and service charges, is now 'daylight robbery'!