FAQs about Health department role in moldy rental apartments or offices:

Questions & answers about how a tenant might get help if a rental home or apartment is unsafe or un-healthy to occupy and if the landlord does not respond to notice of these conditions? Frequently asked questions & answers.

This article series discusses whether or not a tenant should call their local health department officials about a known or suspected health & safety concerns such as a moldy rental apartment, home, or office, how building owners and managers can be expected to react to health department involvement, and when such a call is probably justified.

FAQs on Help for Tenants of Unsafe or Un-Healthy Rental Apartments or Homes

Recently posted questions from occupants, owners, or renters renters about dealing with indoor environmental health and safety concerns - these were posted originally at HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS - topic home.

Be sure to review the advice in that article.

On 2018-10-31 by (mod) - Checking for *specificall* or **only** for "black mold" is a very serious, possibly fatal error

Checking for *specificall* or **only** for "black mold" is a very serious, possibly fatal error in investigating any indoor mold contamination question, as there are thousands of species of mold, or at least hundreds of common ones, found indoors and that are not black or even dark in color but that can be very harmful, ranging from allergenic to pathogenic to toxic.

If you have visual or other evidence that a mold problem exists in your home and are not getting help from the housing authority you probably need to ask for help from your local health department.

On 2018-10-31 16:31:28.249018 by Alana Ferguson

I have been constantly I'll with respiratory problems and sinus infections.l live in hud housing. I have given written notice that I want a specialist to check my apartment for black mold. She has done nothing and acts like it's unimportant. What should I do?

On 2018-10-31 15:30:25.172772 by (mod) -

From your fifteen word question I can't say what is the cause of the rotten odor, Anon, but If it were my kitchen and shower I'd be looking for:

- food waste or garbage spills under the kitchen sink

- a poorly-vented plumbing drain that is letting sewer gases into the building

On 2018-10-30 08:43:48.634324 by Anonymous

I always smell something rotten in the kitchen and in the shower what is it

On 2018-10-22 20:24:02.989362 by Debbi

Drainage tube above bathtub & bathtub stains from constant water dripping.

On 2018-10-22 20:16:55.172851 by Debbi

On 2018-10-22 by (mod) - cancer patient at risk if in moldy environment

It sounds to me as if you need to ask for help from your local Health Department.

Cancer patients are usually also going to have a compromised immune system due to the treatment regimen. That means that exposure to harmful molds or any other pathogens is unsafe.

On 2018-10-22 by Debbi

I have Cancer. It was diagnosed approx 6 months after moving into my current apartment. I am in bed/more than out and NEVER feel good.

I suspect mold for one thing, but it's also a constant something wrong. People who live here are threatened with eviction if they complain too much. Some have been evicted. There is water constantly on my bathroom floor from some sort of leak in ceiling ven't

I can't even take a bath without water dripping on me from drainage tube above my tub. Pictures follow.

The tenants in my complex are scared of Mgt. Company. If tenants complain about conditions such as mold or disrepair, they are either evicted or threatened with eviction.

On 2018-10-11 22:39:16.851348 by (mod) -

Sounds as if you need help from your local health department.

On 2018-10-11 by Lorraine Olencki

The complex known as "LANDMARK AT GRAYSON PARK" is in the process of repiping all of the existing plumbing. My unit has open holes, the smell of mold AND fiberglass hanging out of my a/c vents. I have been to mgmt twice in 2 days. I am getting sick snd my eyes swell shut when the a/c comes on. APT 2903, 15501 BRUCE B DOWNS BLVD. 813-362-2321

On 2018-09-14 by (mod) - Yes mushrooms are the fruiting body of a fungus = mold

Yes mushrooms are the fruiting body of a fungus. And if conditions are wet enough to grow mushrooms indoors then it's a very good chance that there's a mold problem in that flooded wall cavity. Unfortunately if you are building management is not up to the task of handling this problem correctly you may need to ask for help from your health department.

On 2018-09-14 by Carole Thompson

Hello. I have livef in my apartment for almost 5 years now. I have complained about mold in the wall's and ceiling. They just have their guys come up and patch and paint. One time little mushrooms were growing out of the baseboard. They just said it was because the washer machine had been leaking.

The washer machine is on the other side of the wall where the mushrooms were. Aren't mushrooms fungus? What can I do to have the health department come and check for mold.? I have had terrible allergy symptoms for like 4 years...And a cough that won't go away!!!

On 2018-08-21 by (mod) -

If there is no renters or tenants Advocate Association where you live then perhaps you need to call your health department and ask them for assistance

On 2018-08-21 by Lori Eisenhart

I have told the maintenance department that I have mold in my bathroom cuz there is a leak in the ceiling and he came out and said that he has to go upstairs and see where the leak is coming from and it has been over 2 weeks or so

I have been living with this hole in the ceiling and mold for at least three or four months and nothing is being done about it and I'm a sickly person and I need to have somebody help me with this because I am tired of being sick so can somebody help me please

. I don't know if somebody can come check on it or call me and talk to me or let me know how to handle it cuz I don't know what to do but it's making me ill my phone number is 3: 02 220 1118 thank you very much.

On 2018-08-12 by (mod) - check with your doctor, do not stay in an unsafe environment

Pam

Check first with your doctor to confirm that

the illness or complaints are or could be cause by or aggravated by mold exposure

and that you and she are getting proper treatment.

Next if there is more than 30 sq.ft. of contiguous mold then professional cleaning is in order, and your doctor may advise that people who are already sick or who are at extra risk (elderly, immune, asthmatic, etc) should not be in a building that is moldy nor in one that is being cleaned of mold - until the cleanup has been completed and an independent expert indicates that there is no remaining issue.

Detailed guidance is at RENTERS & TENANTS: MOLD ADVICE https://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/Rental_Unit_Mold.php

On 2018-08-12 by Pam

I just found mold in my apartment last night my mom's sick I'm getting that way don't know how long been like this. Called landlord around two hours ago.said he would check it out still not here I pay 600 a mouthy what can I do

On 2018-08-03 by (mod) - remove the mold, fix the leaks, and hire a professional for large areas

Denise: Clean-off-Remove the mold from hard surfaces, and find and fix the moist conditions or leak that caused it.

If there were leaks into the closet ceiling or walls, or if the moldy surfaces are drywall, that material can't be successfully cleaned and is normally removed and replaced.

If the moldy area is more than 30 sqft of contiguous mold, then professional remediation would be in order.

On 2018-08-03 by Anonymous

I Need help with this problem I'm sick all the time what should I do landlord won't get rid of the mold

On 2018-08-03 by Denise

I live in a home where there is mold growth in my bed room closet

On 2018-07-23 by (mod) - health department inspections are limited

Carlos

If there is no evidence of a problem and no existing health complaint, I'd be surprised if your local health department has the time and inclination to offer mold inspections. But certainly they're not going to charge you a dime for asking.

On 2018-07-22 by Carlos

Can I get the health department to help me see if there is mold in the apartment I am renting

On 2018-07-13 1 by (mod) - urine odor complaints: tenant above pees onto balcony

If you are renting most likely that your lease contains Clauses that address issues such as the one that you described. And that case the issue would be taken first to your landlord.

On 2018-07-12 by Anonymous

I live in a supposedly *luxury apartment complex* and recently a disgusting neighbor moved in above me. On most nights he gets drunnk and has decided that it is too much trouble to walk to his bathroom to pee.

So he pees over his balcony, which is directly above mine. I like (well I did like) to keep my window open at night to get fresh air and now am unable to due to the stench and possiblity of it getting into my window.

On most mornings on my way to work you can smell a strong urine scent and before catching him, I never put two and two together until I caught him doing it. I never could have imagined a grown man doing this. I am beyond disgusted. I live in the state of Tennessee and know this illegal not to mention a health code violation. My question is what can be done to get this filth evicted or at the very least make sure this stops? Can I file a health code violation or get the police involved?

On 2018-07-12 by (mod) -

Contact your local health department and ask them to take a look.

On 2018-07-11 by Nicole hobbs

I need for you guys to come out and inspect this building I stay at 1685 harbor ave apt 2s

I been here for a year and the landlord has not mop or swipe the hallways the backhallways look darker than my work shoe he has not fix any pipes in this building I need for you guys to come out and get him because he thinks that he has the right to just get rent from everyone in the building

this man has not done anything he needs to be stop please come by this building and take a look you cant even walk in the hallways it's very un sanitized and the whole building he mad at me because I dont like living like this it's a shame

On 2018-06-21 by (mod) - very moldy ceiing in apartment, spray-over treatment, newborn at risk

Tana,

Watch out: The environment you describe and photograph does not look safe for an infant.

When the building management are not addressing an obvious mold contamination problem in your apartment I think you probably have no choice but to ask for help from the health department.

On 2018-06-21 by Tana

Hello I live in a apartments called hunters grove and I been tell the people’s in the front office that we have mold in our apartment. I been telling them this every since I was pregnant then they said they was gone do something about it.

Then I told them that we don’t have a/c as well and they said they was gone fix that but never did so we had to go 2 years without air and I was still pregnant at the time.

So now our lights had went out so I told them about that and when they came to look at the breaker box they said it had water in it so we gone need a whole new one.

So we waited on that for a month an so but they never came an fix nothing then when it was time for me to go in the hospital I was in there for 3 days so when I finally came home I’m thinking they came and did something to the mold I look they haven’t did nothing but spray over it and I had a new born plus we didn’t have a/c either so we had to use fans.

An I been going to the office telling them that we need stuff done to our apartment and they don’t want to do nothing.

And now the whole Apartment has mold and it’s not good for me and my kids or my grandfather so I wanted to know what can I do about this and we paying 1000 dollar a month for rent. And I have more pictures of it as well

On 2018-06-06 by (mod) - Many indoor molds can be harmful to health, not just dark colored molds.

Iva,

Many indoor molds can be harmful to health, not just dark colored molds.

If there is extensive mold contamination, more than 30 sqft, professional cleaning and repairs would be needed.

On limited income and if faced with an unhealthy home, you may need help from social services in moving.

On 2018-06-02 by iva

i am disabled and live in a 30 yr old trailer that as black mold what can i do i live on $1000.00 A MONTH

On 2018-06-02 by (mod) -

Janice,

Contact your department of health
Ask them to take a look

Let me know what you are told

On 2018-06-02 by Janice Reese

I have sewage running underneath my house the three houses side by side that my landlord owns has the sewage running through the woods and into a creek what can I do about this

On 2018-05-21 by (mod) - where will there be hidden mold ?

Connie

If the wet ceiling is made using drywall or gypsum board and it's likely that you will find mold growth on both sides or at least on the hidden or ceiling cavity side of the drywall if such wet material is left in place. The minimum you would do would be to have an expert cut a test opening and look in the ceiling cavity.

On 2018-05-21 by Connie

Hello, last week we got rain for about a week. I live on the second floor so I have a ceiling not a roof. It rain in the apartment upstairs from rhe window and came into my living ceiling.

Now I have brown leaking spots on my ceiling. I am concern that it will turn into to mold. My apartment complex don't seem to have much concern. I'm trying to figure out If I should reach out to the healt apartment?

On 2018-05-10 by (mod) - legal question of what a landlord is responsible for "testing"

Tara:

The legal question of what a landlord is responsible for "testing" is one that a local attorney, knowing local property rental laws where you live and having seen your rental contract, can answer more accurately than a wild arm-waving guess.

In general, in many jurisdictions (you don't give country, city, state, province), there are rental property laws that require a landlord to provide "... safe, habitable " housing or environment for the tenants.

But a landlord who drags her feet in responding to your concern may indeed be able to require that you provide credible evidence - your own independent expert test or inspection report or one from your health department.

On 2018-05-10 by (mod) - Painting over mold is an improper approach

Angie

Painting over mold is an improper approach, does not solve any problems, fails to remove the mold, and fails to correct the reason for the mold growth in the first place. It also fails to address the risk of a larger hidden mold cavity in the walls or ceilings.

If there is more than 30 sq.ft. of contiguous moldy material then professional cleanup is needed as well as, of course, steps to find and fix the causing leaks.

If nothing is being done to properly address such a mold problem then the article above on this page suggests asking your health department for aid.

On 2018-05-10 by Angie Findlay

I live at 3719 hwy 2 Fletcher's Lake apts. I have black mold growing under my bathroom sink as does my neighbor beside me and I have a leak above my shower which will no doubt turn to mold eventually. The landlord and property management are fully aware of both...I was told to get some paint and paint over it my self.. No I am not doing that .

I scrubbed it off and cleaned once already and it's back...and I know my neighbor is not cleaning his.

Also for about 8-9 months we have been dealing with cock roaches....they have put powder down...a few times...that's about it. And we still have them ... adult and baby.

Something needs to be done...he thinks he has too much money to bother with us people..we do not deserve to live in such conditions..

i know he sure doesn't care....he'd do something if he did....just my opinion. Please I would like to be contacted with regards to this matter ASAP.
Thank you.
Respectfully
Angela Findlay
PS I also have video of the leak and the mold.

On 2018-05-09 by Tara

My family has been living in a house rental for almost 4 yrs now. There had been water damage prior to us from the upstairs bathroom so the ceiling on theaim floor showed the damage.

There is a big brown spot on the kitchen ceiling. While living here there was a leak in the kitchen at the other end from the brown spot and issues with the toilets clogging and a over a week ago a pipe blew in the upstairs bathroom and flooded the upstairs and down stairs even into the basement.
Is the landlord responsible for having the house tested for mold?

He said last week he would have to find someone who deals with plaster to come in and repair the ceiling.
I have been suffering from head aches for months. This week I went to emerge as I was extremely lightheaded, was sick to my stomach then developed the headache again. It's been 2 days I still have the head ach and last night was sick to my stomach for 2 hrs and had gastrointestinal issues and am still suffering the symptoms.

I was advised to return to the hospital if I was not back to myself in 2-3days. If I return should I mention the mold issue in my house?

On 2018-04-30 by (mod) - Contact your health department and ask them to inspect the home for health and safety.

Baelie

Contact your health department and ask them to inspect the home for health and safety.

Look for legal aid or financial services or social services for further help.

Keep us posted.

Use the picture frame icon to post photos, one at a time (next to the Comment button) and if you feel it would be helpful identify the apartment and owner to authorities.

Anon:

If sewer gases are leaking into your home that is

- a danger of a sewer gas explosion

- unsanitary

Notify your building owner / maintenance / landlord orally and in writing right away;

If you suspect or smell sewer gases, as that may be unsafe, check with your neighbors and if it's severe you should go outside and call 911.

On 2018-04-29 by Baelie

Ok I like in an apartment with no installation cracks in the walls from leakage black mold etc I’ve told my landlord and he claims the mold is paint but it smells bad the holes in the walls are letting ants in and I have a one year old plus baby on the way with no where to go my landlord won’t fix anything what do I do?!

On 2018-04-22 by Anonymous

I have a sewage line in my living room. It is covered by a steel plate with a whole in it. I lifted in up and saw dirt and disgust. When I moved in my apartment the landlord had just put down a new rug. I discovered this after I moved in.

I have since gotten headaches and nausea and just recently attributed it to this.
Im wondering what risks am I facing having a sewage line from my living room to the outside sewer?

...

Continue reading at HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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