Quick v Taff-Ely BC [1986]

Quick v Taff-Ely BC [1986] QB 809

Mr Quick rented a property with his wife and four daughters from the council. The property suffered from severe condensation and the living conditions of Mr Quick and his family were rendered appalling. There was uncontradicted evidence that Mr Quick had made numerous complaints to the council regarding the condition of the property but his complaints were ignored so he started court action.

Expert evidence concluded that the property was subject to severe condensation on the walls, windows and metal surfaces in all rooms of the house. Water had to be frequently wiped off the walls and paper had peeled off the walls and ceilings. The woodwork was rotten, there was mould growth in places and in two back bedrooms there was a persistent and offensive smell of damp. The condensation was caused by warm air of the environment in the rooms reading the cold surfaces of the building and the moisture of the condensation was then absorbed by the atmosphere and transferred to the bedding, clothes and other fabrics which became mildewed and rotten.The expert stated that