Mold Q&A for Renters & Landlords

Mold Cleanup by Tenant is OK?
Mold Contamination of Tenant's Belongings
Mold Inspection & Test Paid for by Tenant?

Did Mold Contamination Come in with Tenant's Belongings?

Tenant claims mold on wet furniture caused by soil under the building - but only the furniture is moldy

Furniture was moved into unit on an extremely wet day. Being winter and cold mould developed on furniture and subsequently on roof and window sill.

No mould on carpet on skirting of rooms. However tenants are claiming that the mould is the result of mould in subfloor soil. Can that happen? (Jan 13, 2013) Marissa 

Reply by (mod):

Marissa, it's technically reasonable to say that "all mold is everywhere all the time" - in the air, and for soil molds, in soil. Most soil molds don't invade the building air, though soil moisture in a crawl space might encourage mold contamination in both the crawl area and the building above.

But it makes most sense to me when explaining mold growth to look first at the most likely sources:

If furniture was soaked and not dried in 24-48 hours that's the most likely explanation of its moldiness.

If you inspect the crawl area and it's dry and if there is no visible mold growth on the under-floor surfaces that also suggests that the crawl area is not the source of the moldy furniture complaint.

Finally, it wouldn't make much sense to me for mold to grow ONLY on furniture and not on other apartment surfaces if the problem had its origin in the building.

So if the mold is ONLY on the tenant's furniture I suspect it came in on those items. - Daniel Friedman

Mold growing on HVAC vents, on furniture, on jewelry in apartment

I noticed mold growing on the vents here at my apt.

Called and maintenance came and changed the filter on my air conditioner and said to clean the mold and if it comes back to call them again.

A few weeks have passed and I'm noticing this green moldy stuff all over clothes, shoes, leather jewelry and furniture. I called them and they came back out and said a dehumidifier would be the best.

My lease is up for renewel soon and I am afraid to tirn it in for fear that the dehumidifier will not work. They said this mold is not harmful and will not cause sickness. Also said that it will wash off with soap and water.

I look online and see otherwise though. I have people saying I should demand they pay for the cleaning of my things since it costs to wash and dry here and that I should call my renters insurance and see if I can't get reimbursed for some of the things covered in this green mold.

Just unsure of what to do as far as renewing my lease if the dehumidifier does not work and this mold is in fact unhealthy to be around. (July 31, 2014) Beth

Reply by (mod):

If you have green moldy stuff growing all over clothing, leather, jewelry (really? what's there for mold to eat on jewelry), furniture, then you most likely have unusually high indoor humidity or a leak somewhere. Before relying on a humidifier I would be looking for the moisture source.

Also if there is a LOT of mold (more than 30 sqft of contiguous moldy surface) then professional cleaning is needed.

Worse and a bit tricky, dehumidifying a very moldy environment without cleaning up the existing mold reservoir can, depending on the mold genera/species that are present, actually temporarily increase the level of airborne mold - which could be a hazard.

About who pays: in my OPINION that depends on what is the base cause of the problem and thus who's responsible for that.

Beth

The jewelry is leather that's why it was so moldy. They said the source is because we live in a bottom level apt and it's been an abnormally wet summer.

When asked if they would reimburse me for the money I will have to pay to clean everything I was told no, that it was not something THEY did and that it was an act of nature and that they are taking precautions to fix it now. I don't know for sure if it is in the couches but I do know that the couches and carpet are damp (they offered to have the carpet professionally cleaned.)

I disagree with her because I've already called once about this issue with it growing on the vents so this is the second time I've had to call them about it. Everyone seems to think the cure all will be the dehumidifier. They said clean everything with soap and water and that will clear it up and it won't come back.

Reply:

Beth,

Got it.

Act of nature?

First, there should be no leaks into the structure.

Second, the structure ventilation, and if present, air conditioning systems should be working properly. For example, if A/C was not run, or was not working properly, or was over-sized, it would quite possibly fail to dehumidify the building interior.

I agree with advice that if you remove mold from surface (or toss out stuff that can't be cleaned such as a moldy mattress or pillow or wall to wall carpet and padding), and then keep the indoor humidity down - say under 50%, the conditions to invite mold growth are much reduced.

Let's try a different analysis. You're in an apartment. If the surmise of the THEY who told you the mold problem is "normal" for the weather you experienced, then one would expect to see the same mold problems in every unit in the complex that is in the same position (bottom level) as your apartment. Right?

(July 31, 2014) Beth

I've lived in the apt now for going on three years and never had this problem until now. The air conditioning unit has been working fine to my knowledge. And yes the "they" that I'm referring to is the maintenance team and their boss and they have not said anything about anyone else having the same issue as me.

They said they were specifically ordering a dehumidifier for me so I'm assuming no one else is having this problem.

Thanks for getting back with me it is much appreciated

To Avoid mold damage: how do I store family heirlooms in a box truck ?

I'm experiencing a financial problem that may force me to store my family heirlooms (furniture) in a 16 foot box truck.

I am concerned the temperature variations may cause mold or mildew damage. Can someone advise me? I expect to have to store it in the truck for about 7 months. 9/17/2014 Anonymous

Reply by (mod):

Anon

While temperature variations that might include very high levels may harm the items you store in a box truck, it's not temperature but moisture, specifically leaks or other sources of high moisture inside the truck that would invite mold growth.

Be certain that the truck is absolutlely dry inside and clean before storing items, and inspect it regularly to check for any leaks that might develop.

For some items it may also make sense to store them inside airtight waterproof plastic containers inside the truck.

Mold Inspection & Tests of Rental Unit FAQs

How do I get my apartment management to test for mold?

My daughter is living in student housing in Cortland, NY. She is located in a first floor apartment and reported black mold spreading on her bedroom ceiling to her landlord. Two weeks later the maintenance man came in and painted primer over it.

Are there any laws that we should know about regarding black mold and tenants rights? She has signed a lease through May of 2015.

11/20/2014 Jessica

How do I get my apartment complex to test for mold In my unit? They are difficult to deal with. I had a leak that started two months ago. And they just now 'fixed' the problem. But I know that the water from the roof sat in my ceiling for at least that two months.

When the guy came to fix it, he opened a panel in the ceiling and probably 10 gallons of murkey water came pouring Down and it smelled like metal. Ruined my rugs. But besides all of that I do I get them to test my apartment for mold? 11/16/2014 Christine

Reply by (mod):

10 gallons of water falling out of a ceiling is adequate justification to argue for further investigation for water damage and mold in that area. Notify your apartment management in writing of your concerns, the hazards, the risks. See these two articles for some specific suggestions to prompt management action when they're not responding to your apartment environmental health complaint.

• HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS
• TENANT HELP for MOLDY RENTAL

I just paid $450 for a mold test - now what ?

I just paid 450.00 for a mold inspection which I will receive the report from the lab on Thursday. He is an inspector not a mold remover.

I told the district manager who knew about this. problem because I was concerned about the brown spots show up on the bedroom ceilings

He was up here twice and touched the spots on the ceiling and said they are not wet so it is not mold. I told him about the inspector and he said he would not pay for the mold inspection because I was only concerned about the brown spots on the ceiling and wanted it painted not mold in the entire apartment.

I have had 2 open heart surgeries in 2013, on to replace a leaking valve April 3rd the other June 3rd because I got endocarditis from the valve replacement and they did not discover it for 2 months.

I was in intensive care 34 days, lost the use of my kidneys and put on dialysis for 2 months, kidneys did come back, my right lung collapsed and will never be 100%.

I see 6 specialist due to this problem and this manager thinks I just want the ceilings painted and I am not concerned about mold throughout the apartment. Mold inspecter said in 1 bedroom carpet idamp and has a 71% humidity, 2nd bedroom damp carpet 61% humidity, living room carpet damp 67% humidity.

Told manager and he blamed it on me and my husband, he said we don't use our fans in the bathrooms and don't run the air condition. We always use the fans and I will not go without the air conditioner on in the summer, ask any of my friends, I tend to freeze them when they visit.

What can I do? I have call the Health Dept., they said they will send them a letter out

We had to call them before when there was mold in the attic and they new about the mold a year earlier. 2 my husband found more mold in the attic so the maintenance man came out again and sprayed and removed insulation and put in a black plastic bag which he dropped out of the attice into the laundry room, which was accidental but no one told us to leave while this was being done. (Sept 23, 2014) Janet Cope

Reply: touching with a finger is not a reliable test for moisture nor mold

Janet

Touching with a finger to determine "not wet" is nonsense; the surface may still be wet enough to support mold growth.

And "not wet" does not mean "not mold" any more than "not white" means "not a refrigerator".

A mold "test" alone without an expert inspection is not a reliable screen for building mold contamination.

The high humidity you report is a key condition that invites mold contamination growth.

Fans, if there is mold contamination, may increase the level of airborne mold and other particles.

Spraying mold is not a valid mold remediation approach. If there is a substantive mold contamination reservoir the mold needs to be physically removed and its cause corrected.

Am I entitled to see the results of humidity tests done in my apartment?

Please help! I live in a Fl apartment rental complex whose owners are not on site, but the property manager (different company hired by complex owners) is on site.

[IN SHORT] I found mold in my apartment, there was a leak, the Landlord independently contracted a man to test the humidity level in my apartment.

He declared it hazardous. Now they will not let me see any of the reports or speak with him about the additional tests he has performed. Am I entitled to see these tests without legal action? (Apr 8, 2014) FL TENANT 

Reply by (mod): humidity tests are not an adequate mold contamination inspection

FL,

I'm not able to answer the legal question (you may have a legal aid attorney or your own attorney who can) about what documents a property owner must show you.

I'm a bit uncertain why someone who tested humidity level alone would declare humidity hazardous, especially in Florida. But humidity-related problems such as mold growth, could be a concern.

But more important, if there is a substantial mold contamination issue it needs to be properly addressed: cleaned-up properly and its cause corrected.

 

Management made us sign a waiver to pay for mold testing if nothing is found

This problem was reported to management on April 2nd, now waiting for them to send someone to check for a moisture problem, we are in South Carolina, we had to sign a waiver that if they don't find a problem, we will have to pay for testing. (Apr 15, 2014) lr walton 

Reply: Watch out: to be sure that the mold test (actually an inspection is more important than testing) is by a qualified and independent expert

Ir Walton:

Well that waiver is in my OPINION (I'm not a lawyer) reasonable IF and ONLY IF the person sent by management (who is not a disinterested party) is someone who is qualified, thorough, uses valid methods, and is able to avoid the conflict of interest that arises by being hired by someone who has an interest in having no problem found.

Certainly such professional service is possible. But be sure that you are present to observe what the inspector does, and that you obtain copies of all inspection and lab reports produced.

Finally, JUST checking for "a moisture problem" would be an incompetent approach to inspecting a building for mold contamination. For example there could have been a previous leak that initiated a large harmful hidden mold reservoir in a building cavity (wall or ceiling for example).

That mold reservoir would remain present and problematic even if later, at the time of a subsequent inspection, the moisture itself, or the leak, were long gone.

Can & Should the Tenant Clean Up a Mold Problem?

Landlord told us to do the work ourselves to remove lots of "black mold"

We found a house that was for rent, we contacted owner we did a walk through with the ownre. On the surface it looked liked we just needed to do some really good cleaning. the owner made a deal if we cleaned the house up and make minor repairs she would keep the rent low.

As we are cleaning we discovered ALOT of black mold in one of the bathrooms. We told her about it she said just remove the shower walls and replace and all will be good. Thats what we did. We know nothing about deposal of mold. We through it all away in the trash.

My question is.... Was that ok? Are we allowed to do that kind of clean up and construction?Could the mold return since we carried the mold through the house? We hadnt moved into the house until we were done so the moldy wood didnt pass our belongings. (June 12, 2014) ghlani

Reply by (mod): DIY cleanup is ok if the amount of mold is small

GH

Watch out: What you did may not have been "OK" if you exposed yourselves to high levels of harmful mold by breathing moldy dust or by getting mold into eyes or open cuts or sores.

If the total area was small (less than 30 sqft) the old job would have been considered one suitable for handling by a homeowner or handyman; larger areas of harmful mold ("black mold" is by no means the only harmful mold) would have merited professional cleaning.

Further, the mold problem is likely to return unless its cause is found and corrected.

I agree that I'd not move my belongings into a moldy area before the problem has been addressed.

Watch out: any mold cleanup job has to include finding and fixing the cause of the mold growth in the first place - else it will simply recur.

 

Can a problem mold occur in just two days?

My apt in leak n water and sewer.landlord said we can't go back in. And the building will be condemned on Monday morning... would this be true it only been two days this started. thanks (Nov 9, 2014) jess

Reply by (mod):

Possibly, Jess if the flooding and mold damage are significant, depending on ambient temperatures, mold growth can appear on many types of materials or surfaces in one or two days after the wetting event. - Daniel F.