Questions on what to do about mold and other indoor hazard or contamination in rental properties.

This article series discusses the steps that a tenant in a rental apartment or rental home can take to look for and test for mold, responding to other possible indoor contaminants or safety hazards, how to inform building management of a known or suspected building hazard or safety problem, what to expect the rental property managers to do if they are going to address a health or safety problem properly, and what the rental apartment tenant needs to watch out for during a mold investigation and mold remediation of their home.

Mold Cleanup FAQs for Rental Tenants #5

These questions & answers about what tenants should or can do about moldy rental apartments, mobile homes or other residences were posted originally

at RENTERS & TENANTS ADVICE for UNSAFE or UNHEALTHY HOME - be sure to see that article and its advice.

On 2019-03-06 by (mod) - "toxic black mold" is a dangerous misconception

Jerry

black mold" is a dangerous misconception fired-up by some vendors and journalists.

There are harmful molds of just about any color and texture, and some, such as Aspergillus, produce small spores that are more-easily airborne, are breathed deep into the lungs, and that are probably more harmful to more people than most popular "toxic black molds"

Try the Experts Directory at the top of any of our pages

And see your doctor before doing anything else

On 2019-03-06 by Jerry Ervin

How do I get help for the Black Mold causing breathing problem
..and it's getting worse and headaches really bad.

On 2019-01-28 by (mod) - should the hygienist be told about an immune-compromised occupant?

Or during or before completion

On 2019-01-27 by Charles

Should a certified industrial hygienist be informed of any immune-compromising condition of an apartment dweller before inspection?

On 2019-01-23 by (mod) - Histoplasmosis hazards

Pigeon feathers mean birds in the building's HVAC system, and can mean health risks just as you describe and including bird-borne disease such as

Histoplasmosis a dangerous respiratory disease
Candidiasis
Cryptococcosis

Be sure that you have discussed your concerns and exposure with your doctor.

About testing before a cover-up, that's a question out of order.

Ahead of that concern in my OPINION should be your notification of your local health department of what you believe is an urgent and serious health concern for building occupants.

The health department would be expected to conduct their own inspection and testing.

Other coverup and testing concerns might be discussed with your doctor and your attorney.

On 2019-01-23 by Margaret Zverina

I just moved out of an apartment that had really old, nasty carpeting when I moved in that managent refused to replace.Pigeon feathers in all my air vents.I am an now in the hospital with bacterial and viral pneumonia.Immediately following the move.My doctor thinks there's a connection.How do I proceed to get testing done before they can cover all this up

On 2018-11-28 by Allison

4 year old condo bldg with water leaks in at least 3 units... seeking advice about next step... hire mold detection services or leak detection service? Can you advise?

On 2018-06-15 by (mod) - sewage and mold contamination in the basement & a racoon problem

Arica,

Your photo indeed looks like mold, though a rather small area, perhaps a square foot or so - not enough, by itself to be likely to explain a health issue in a home.

However if the same leaks that produced the mold you see have also produced a larger, hidden mold colony, such as inside of a wall, ceiling, or floor, there could be a greater hazard. It's worth investigating.

Raccoons in the attic and chimney of a building can be hazardous in several ways:

- Contact with raccoon feces (or less likely, raccoon urine) can lead to Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection in humans, or (less common), Visceral Larval Migrans, an infection of the central nervous system, or Giardiasis, in essence an infection of the digestive system.

- Contact with the raccoons themselves can be a risk of contracting rabies or getting bitten

See our advice about raccoons at RACCOONS in the ATTIC

where we will repeat your question and this reply and where you will find more information.

On 2018-06-15 by Arica

I have lived here for 3 years I rent my daughter and I are very sick the black mold is visible and it’s a known fact that a sewage cap is missing

in the basement the house is always moist the whole house especially the basement and it smells like mildew it also stays cold during the cold months I have had 4 sets of raccoons in my attic and chimney also I have attached one of the photos of what I’ve found there’s way more

On 2019-01-06 by (mod) - black mold in my apartment

Samuel

Keep in mind that "black mold" is a dangerous misconception fired-up by some vendors and journalists. There are harmful molds of just about any color and texture, and some, such as Aspergillus, produce small spores that are more-easily airborne, are breathed deep into the lungs, and that are probably more harmful to more people than most popular "toxic black molds" such as Stachybotrys chartarum.

Start by consulting your doctor and follow her advice.

For finding an inspection or mold cleanup service in Kansas, you can use our page top EXPERTS DIRECTORY or do your own local search.

To determine the scope of cleanup needed as well as the cause (and thus steps to prevent recurrence) of the mold growth, it's best to use a professional who has NO business nor financial relationship with the company who will do the actual cleanup.

Small areas of mold under 30 sqft. are a handyman or homeowner chore for most people.

In the ARTICLE INDEX above these articles may help you

EMERGENCY RESPONSE, IAQ, GAS, MOLD - deciding when to hire an expert

MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD - what to do

On 2019-01-06 by samuel maddux

I have a lot of black mold i fond in my apartment and my kids or not filling good and the apartment will not do nothing about it . They no it there but they don't care . I am wired about my kids . how do i call in Lawrence ks before my kids get worse.

On 2018-11-2 by (mod) - Mold continues to grow in our basement in Pittsburgh.

You'll have to ask them to perform a health inspection

On 2018-11-23 by Caprena, Pittsburgh

Mold continues to grow in our basement in Pittsburgh. How can I have the health department cite the landlord?

On 2018-10-31 by (mod) -

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 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 2018-10-21 by (mod) - what would make a mushroom grow from the ceiling crack

K

There is or was a water leak into the ceiling above, and mold friendly materials like wood or paper were or are wet.

A landlord assuring you that "mold is not a problem" is

1. correct if the mold is trivial in total area in the building - say a few square inches AND has reason to know that that is absolutely all of the mold that's present - just clean it off and fix the cause

2. is wrong if the mold is larger than in #1: the mold needs to be found, removed, and its cause corrected. Furthermore if the moldy materials are more than 30 sq.ft. in contiguous area, professional remediation is needed.

If you see a mushroom, that is the fruiting body of mold and there is certainly justification for further investigation.

Use the Add Image button at the comments box to attach a photo if you can.

On 2018-10-21 by K.Rich

I was wondering, what would make a mushroom grow from the ceiling crack (Where the ceiling and wall meet)and what should I do?

It's a condo that I rent and I have told the landlord that I thought there was a mold problem in the home because of a leaky plumbing pipe that has now been fixed,but it still had that mold smell, but landlord assured me that mold was not a problem.

Just yesterday, I happen to look up on the ceiling in the bathroom I seen something strange on the wall, so I took a closer look to see what it was and discovered that it was a mushroom, what should I do from here? Please help.

On 2018-04-24 by (mod) -

it's important that mold in buildings be removed including physical cleaning. I sometimes include bleach or a sanitizer as a final step but I don't use bleach as a substitute for cleaning and removal. And part that's because even if you kill mold spores With bleach as bored as may still be allergenic or toxic, containing mycotoxins. If there's a large area of moldy material, more than 30 square feet, then professional cleaning is needed.

Of course it's also essential that the leaks that cause the mold are repaired.

Finally if water leaked into building wall and ceiling cavities, it's not likely that a surface spray of bleach on the exterior of those ceilings or walls would be adequate.

I have to add that spraying moldy drywall with bleach or any other disinfectant is never adequate and that moldy drywall needs to be removed.

On 2018-04-24 by Vanessa Aguilar

okay so about a week ago I have water leaking from my stealing from the people who live upstairs had a leak and it came down to us then

about a week later I seen in mushroom growing found out that it was mold the maintenance man in my apartment came and sprayed it with bleach that's it does the wood and stuff have to be removed or just bring or bleach fix it please help I have a newborn baby

On 2018-02-13 by (mod) - is the landlord responsible for moldy carpets?

Doug,


One cannot estimate by Simple Text what health risks such as the presence of pathogens or disease-causing organisms might be present in bloody carpet left in an apartment.

In my opinion such Carpeting and padding should have been removed and discarded and the floor and other surfaces appropriately cleaned and disinfected.

the question of who's responsible for just that work is one to be answered by an attorney who knows rental law where you live. however generally I would expect a landlord to be required to deliver a rental property that is safe and habitable.

On 2018-02-13 by Doug Adams

I rented a appartment I didn't notice that there were blood stains in the carpet fro a apparently stabbing that happened in 2011 when I tried to clean the bloodstains the carpet started to fall apart my landlord is charging me a very large deposit for the apartment

do you think it's his responsibility to replace the carpet or fix dispatch for the blood stains have occurred thank you very much for any advice that you could give me sincerely Douglas Adams

Just rented a appartment has two old large blood stains in the carpet this must be harmful for my health COPD Cancer survivor

On 2017-03-05 by (mod) -

Beverly

Use the Add Image button to add a photo to a comment

On 2017-03-05 by Beverly - Is mold dangerous to my pet? How do I post photos

Sorry it posted before I was finshed

March 4th 2017 was told by the landlord that home depot will be here on Monday to finally repair the roof. Its been raining hard for 3 days can they still work on the roof if it's wet?

was also told that I would have to leave the house & can come back when they are finished for the day. Do I have to leave the house while the work is being done? What about my small dog would she also have to leave while they are working on the roof?

I doubt that landlord said anything about the mold when home depot came out to inspect the roof before starting the job what steps are there to repairing a roof that has mold in the house?

I was also told not to talk or say anything when they come out to do the work

I've been looking for a place to move to for a year it's hard when your on a fixed-income (SSI) & you have a dog (dog is for emotional support )
Is mold dangerous to my pet?
Thank you
Beverly
bevjmartinez@yahoo.com
P.S. I have pictures how do I send them to you

On 2017-03-05 by Beverly

Cont. from previous comment sorry it went thu before I was finshed
I rent a house ( been there for 4 years )

The First year the windows would leak when it rain and I noticed 3 mushrooms growing on the bathroom ceiling I informed the landlord about these issues she said put a towel in the window stills to soak up the water and that she would have someone fix it She just laughed about the mushrooms.

Dec 2015 there was mold on my furniture, my clothing & around the the baseboard. I told the landlord about these issues she even came in the house to see it. Jan 2016 I called the city building code enforcement.

The city gave her a written report to repair the roof & wooden flooring & the drywall - no repairs to this date. Dec 2016 went to court for a unlawful Detainer the landlord served me with The case was dismissed due to the 30 day eviction notice was invalid.

The mold is so bad that you can smell it when you open the front door to enter.

I'M sick to my stomach & feeling tired all the time, was even tasting it in my mouth. the mold is in the bathroom & bedroom (haven't used the bedroom almost a year- there's no door- I have a heavy blanket hanging in the doorway to the bedroom to block the smell.

Jan 2017 the bedroom ceiling started leaking in one spot now the leak is one straight line from one end to the otherside of the ceiling.( 9 ft 7 1/2 inches across ) There's also mushrooms growing up from the carpet.I told the Landlord about the ceiling leaking bad she said no thing I asked her about putting a tarp on the roof her answer - no can't do that.

( she wants me out due to me calling the city-she even told me she is not fixing or repairing anything-I've been washing the dishes in the bathtub 9 months she won't fix the kitchen sink

On 2017-03-05 09:24:40.035909 by Beverly

I rent a house ( been there for 4 years ) The First year I was there the windows would leak when it rain & I notice 3 mushrooms growing on the bathroom ceiling

I informed told the landlord about these issues she said to put a towel in the window stills to soak up the the water and that she would get someone to fix it She just laughed about the mushrooms. Dec 2015

On 2017-03-04 by (mod) -

Anon:

It depends. If the mold genera/species present (normally there are more than one) happens to be one that easily releases airborne spores then yes, moldy dust may show up on furnishings and other building surfaces.

If the area is large in size - say more than 30 sq.ft. of contiguous mold - that's big enough to warrant professional cleaning

. Otherwise normally and for people who are themselves not at unusual health risk, it's a normal household cleanup job using ordinary cleaners.

On 2017-03-04 by Anonymous

Can I clean up a couple of square feet of moldy stuff myself? Will there be moldy dust on the rest of my apartment?

...

Continue reading at RENTERS & TENANTS ADVICE for UNSAFE or UNHEALTHY HOME - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Articles on Tenants Guide to Mold

• RENTERS & TENANTS ADVICE for UNSAFE or UNHEALTHY HOME
  • HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS
  • HIDDEN MOLD RISKS for RENTERS
  • HOUSING, EMERGENCY & TEMPORARY
  • LEGAL AID ATTORNEY HELP SOURCES
  • MOLD ACTION ADVICE for RENTERS
  • MOLD CONTAMINATION CAUSES
  • MOLD HEALTH RISKS for TENANTS
  • MOLD SAFETY ADVICE for TENANTS
  • MOLD ADVICE for BUILDING MANAGERS
  • TENANT HELP for MOLDY RENTAL
  • TENANT LANDLORD MOLD DISPUTE
  • UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT, CAN'T LEAVE - what if you have to continue to live in a moldy apartment or rental home?

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RENTAL UNIT MOLD & IAQ FAQs-5 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to MOLD CONTAMINATION & REMEDIATION

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