Mould Problems

Update 14 March

This is being led by co director Hossein Bayat. The plan is to commission a survey which will determine the extent of the issue and its origin. As this is a issue within the demise if the apartments, the initial cost of the survey will fall to those who participate. The total cost is likely to be around £600-£700. The survey will check the operation of the MHVR to ensure it is removing moisture as designed. If the issue is determined and agreed to be a St James issue, the cost could be recovered from them although this is by no means certain.

Hossein would be grateful for the following data by apartment

• When was the first time mould & moist appeared?

• If the MHVR system is on 24 hours a day on normal mode, the system should switch to boost when the bathroom light is switched on. Doe this happen? Hossein had to install an additional switch to make this happen.

• Have you had any notification or advice that the two filters in the unit should be cleaned and changed on annual basis? Please refer to St James Welcome Pack issued when the apartment was first bought.

• Have you previously reported a mould or moisture issue. If so could you supply details of when, to whom and what the response was?

Update 6 March

Thank you all for submitting some of your experiences. We are still collecting data before determining the next steps. Our history with St James is unfortunately that this may take some time. Thanks for your patience.

Recently there have been a number of reports made with regards to moisture around bedroom window frames and mould around the window frame and walls. This has been reported in at least three of the apartments located in Roebuck House. The problem has been most acute during the winter when temperatures have dropped, This is despite the ventilation system being continually active.

If you have faced the same issue, we would appreciate if you kindly comment and send your details using the contact form on the site.

Once we have more information we can then determine if this is a systemic design issue which should be dealt with by St James as a design defect. If there is a systemic issue, this may be covered by the 10 year building warranty which remains valid.