I rented and moved in the new house a few months ago. By the day I moved in, I smelt the odour in the house, like chemicals in painting materials. I didn't notice it when I came to see the house because I was wearing a mask. In the first few months it was okay if I kept ventilation all the time, and I hoped it would fade after a few months.
However, the situation is not getting better. Recently since it's getting cold and cold, I cannot keep windows open all the time; and the heating system is on. If the windows are closed for one hour, the odour will become too stinky to bear and make me feel sick. I tried to contact my landlord, which seems to be a housing estate company, and hope to find a reason and a solution. But they simply told me that the house was painted with high-quality materials, so this problem is not on their side and refuse to offer any help, not even come to have a look.
I believe the odour should come from the house itself (walls, ceiling or floor). The odour exists before moving in any furnitures. In addition, my corridor and an empty room smell stinky as well. I also tried to measure the HCHO and TVOC (Total volatile organic compounds) levels using a small detector. The result shows that the air quality is not at a safe level. I am afraid that staying in this room for a long term would affect my health. I already have headache from time to time. But there's a minimal renting time in my rental contract hence i cannot just move out.
I will keep on contacting the landlord, but what should I do if they still refuse to help?
First, materials (and their application) used in housing have to be up to healthy standards, and they should not be dangerous to your health. Of course there is an option that something really went wrong, but it is not that big..
From you description I would say you are disturbed by some components that is in the used materials of the newly built houses. Maybe it was built very fast or maybe you are more sensitive for smells. That smell should fade with a time anyway.
As this is a rented house, the only viable option is to find another place to live. If you want to challenge this, you have few options:
- band together with other renters, who has similar problems (as said by dorophiz)
- get an expert, who will support your claim
Frankly I do not know what you would get even in a best case? Another house for the time this one will renovated? And they would pay you the moving there and back?
Contact your local Mieterverband and get them involved. They’re the renters’ association and may be able to point out legal requirements, etc. May need to join them, but it’s worth becoming a member if you rent.