Throwaway account.
I own a property that I am currently letting. Initial tenancy agreement for two adults one child under 10, previous excellent working order and repainted 2 years ago. First inspection after six months showed mould in the bathroom and damage to the kitchen paint. I had a contractor and surveyor inspect and they both said that it was due to poor ventilation i.e. not opening windows when showering, and the extractor fan was in working order. They confirmed that the property meets regulations.
Advice was given to please ventilate the house, heating advice, and to clean as the mould was on the paint and not internal.
Next inspection showed that the problem had worsened, the house was dirty with dust everywhere, wood blinds starting to get mouldy, and clutterand with paper and books stacked on the kitchen extractor hood. The fridge had been moved into the living room. Again advice was given to please clean, remove the clutter as it is a fire risk on the extractor hood, and move the fridge back to the kitchen. There was also another adult present but letting agency was told they were just visiting. Another inspection had been booked for a month after this.
The latest inspection shows that nothing has been done, the house is filthy, getting mouldy, books are still on the extractor hood, there is now a chest freezer in the living room blocking the doors to the garden, and the same adult is still there and it looks like they are an unauthorised tenant as there is another bed present now (2 bedroom property which now has 2 children under 10 and three adults).
I have had my lettings agency send advice for cleaning, informed them to remove the fridge and freezer as they are fire risks on carpet, remove the clutter above the hob, and that they cannot have an unauthorised tenant.
I will be contacting my insurance agency for advice but is there anything else I can do at this point? I do not think I can serve a section 21 as they renewed the lease less than 6 months ago, and I'm panicking a bit as everything changes tomorrow. I am resigned to the fact that the house will need repainting and new carpets when they leave but I also do not want to be in breach of any laws for health, safety, or overcrowding. Any advice would be appreciated.