Questions & answers about mold and other indoor hazard or contamination in rental properties:
FAQs about renting a moldy apartment, home, or trailer: what can & should you do about it. These questions & answers can help sort out problems with mold contamination or other safety or indoor air quality hazards in rental homes.
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.
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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.
(Dec 12, 2014) Christina said:
I started renting my duplex in June. Of course we signed a one year lease. We are six months into it and I realized mold on the window seals and my bathroom ceiling has a leak so I'm sure there is mold there. I have notified my landlord and all he wants to do is put in a dehumidifier.
I have to infants as well. One is 5 months other is 17 months. All three of us constantly stay conjested and I think its due to the mold. What can I do if my landlord is not willing to fix it the proper way
A dehumidifier may improve the indoor humidity level but won't address a mold problem, won't remove problem mold, and won't correct an abnormal moisture source or leak. First you need an accurate diagnosis of what's going on.
(Dec 15, 2014) Andy Dillon said:
I have a driveway with a retaining wall about 4 feet high that is caving in on one side. Have called the landlord and he refuses to do anything about it. Not only can my vehicle be damaged by this I am afraid that somebody walking next to it could be severely injured if the wall would collapse.
Not sure what the responsibility of the landlord is but quite sure he would not want to pay for the damages to people and property. Is it just me or is this a major health risk? I assure you the wall is on its last limbs. On a side note the reason , I believe, is because they set it to drain water through the wall which in turn softened the ground.
Andy
A safety hazard from a possibly-collapsing retaining wall won't of course be diagnosed nor fixed by e-text.
Notify the landlord in writing of your concerns. Often that's sufficient.
For questions of just what your landlord is required to do you'd need to take your lease to an attorney familiar with rental property law.
(Dec 28, 2014) Anonymous said:
I have been trying since July 2013 to get the manager at my HUD apartment complex of two hundred apartments to fix the problems of my seriously infested mold/fungi apartment.
I've followed all protecal; certified letters to management LLC owner/s LcC.site manger, HUD and Mayor. I have hundreds of pics, two lab results (I paid for inside and out)signed statements from others and much more.
Nothing has been done, and I can prove it's even in the plumbing as well as rugs, roof and all my furnishings.
No response. I'm st my wits end. I have "extremely low" retirement income (I'm 82) and can't afford attorney. Should I go to the media? manager says "can't see it, can't smell it" but everyone else can and he is not a cert. mold inspector.
I've studied mold and know how many colors it comes in, all the different smells it can produce (some don't even smell) etc and he was told by town health insp. to get air quality test (this man is not certified at anything - really!), but now both mgr. and health rep say this was never said. I have two witnesses, but it has never been done what can I do before I die here?
Anon,
IF you have notified the manager in writing of a significant mold contamination hazard (more than 30 sqft of contiguous, non-cosmetic mold) such that professional remediation is appropriate, or notified them of apparent building-related illness or safety hazards and you still get no response your options are to ask for help from your local health department, from an attorney who will provide pro-bono assistance, from a source of funds for seniors needing assistance, or to move.
Erika said:
there is mold in all the window sills of my apartment including my bathroom in my apartment windows in my bedroom and its black and it started raining and I haven't been feeling well so is that black asbestos mold should I be concerned about it
Erika
Asbestos and mold are two completely different potential building hazards.
Mold Appearance is described at
inspectapedia.com/mold/Mold-Recognition-Guide.php
Asbestos is described at
inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Identification.php
(Mar 10, 2015) Sandy said:
I rented out a condo Feb. 1. Upon moving in, i detected a strong urine odor. The owner had an eldery, incontinent dog and a cockatiel. I washed the carpet, couch, and loveseat 3 times with a special enzyme cleaner, but the smell still prevailed.
I bought a flouresent light, and to my dismay, discovered that urine stains are in every room of the apt., on the carpets, furniture, and even the walls. The landlord refuses to have it cleaned, claiming they don't have the money. Is this a cause to break my lease?
I am beginning to have terrible coughing spells upon wakening in the morning.
Sandy you need to ask this question of an attorney familiar with rental property law where you live. Typically a rental contract obligates the landlord to very little but does require a habitable space.
(Mar 16, 2015) Justin said:
I have a problem with my landlords I rent a house everytime something breaks they don't take care of it we'll recently our bathroom window since we moved in never opened or had ventalation it
has a fan in the ceiling but it don't work
we'll mold stArted to build so my wife started cleaning when she did the window broke now a yr and a half later after the window broke they want to fix the fan but not the window I'm so frustrated with these renters they never do there part and always take advantage of you what can I do plez help
(Mar 25, 2015) Pamela said:
my aprt has mold,roaches and no heat and sewage coming uo through the drains and the other aprts adjoined are having the same problem,landlord refuses to do anything. already called the health dept. and the up to code place as the electric outlets are not properly installed.What other options do I have?
Justin and Deanna
In ARTICLE INDEX the article titled TENANT LANDLORD MOLD DISPUTE has additional suggestions.
Be sure that notices to your landlord of unsafe or unsanitary conditions are given verbally right away and also in writing.
(Mar 24, 2015) Deeanna Castle said:
Hi my name is Deeanna and I live on privately ownded property. My brother's ex girl friend has a run down moble home on our property and it it completelt destroyed in the inside and has black mold all through whats left of the inside walls.
She was envicted from the property in Nov and completely moved in Dec by the 15. I have offered to tear it down and clean our property up however she will not let me. She cannot move back on the property ever again and can't live in the moble home it is completely inhabitable with a lot of rats and garbadge in it along with the mold.
If I go to try and clean it up and get rid of it off the perperty she said she would have me jailed. it cannot be moved because it is severly rotted and molded. C
ould you give me some advice on what I can do about this. I have children and not only it being a danger but the rats and black mold are a grave concern to me thank you, Deeanna Castle.
Deeanna, this is beyond my expertise. I think you need to talk with human services, health care officials, or someone similar in your area along with an attorney.
(Apr 24, 2015) Anonymous said:
My apartment has a mold issue.
The landlord has a resteration team to. Clean it up. But it will take at least a week and is in the center of the apartment. We were told that it will be a mess and might not want to stay here while repairs are done. OWhat are my options?
Does the landlord need to give us a safe place to live? My daugter has had a heart transplant so she is
Anon: in most rental contracts and communities a tenant is entitled to safe, habitable housing.
(May 14, 2015) juliet Dixon said:
I live in this Apartment from 2011 Bethany Meadows Apts in Portland, Oregon from 2011, after moving I started smelling mold they came in and taped around the carpet in my bed room and my living room but I kept smelling the mold and it took them until April 2015 to figure out where the mold is coming from,
a gentleman from their co-operate Office had to come to my Apt to check it himself and the mold smell was coming from a trap door in my closet, I have to be constantly going back and forth to the doctor because I have asthma and I have been having respitory problems because of this mold I am disabled and can't afford an independent person to come in and verify that there is mold in the Apt what can I do
Juliet
If you are required to determine whether or not there is an actionable mold problem - presumably because your building management has decided that such is not necessasry - and if you cannot afford to hire an expert your remaining recourse is with your local health department.
(June 6, 2015) Keri said:
When I enter my home, it's moisty and humidity. The A/C temperature is 75 degree. Where can i find a company to investigate and fix it?
Try the EXPERTS DIRECTORY found at the top header of any InspectApedia page; (we have no business nor financial relationship with these companies.)
(June 30, 2015) Anonymous said:
I live in hud apt and the water heater leaked and caused mildew and I have asthma and they repaired some but still is there
Check with your health department or
see HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS found by searching InspectApedia.com
See also WATER HEATER LEAK REPAIR
(July 9, 2015) MARY HOWLAND said:
under the baseboard in bathroom and around ceiling in shower it looks like black mold i am suffering asthma symptoms for the first time. I need someone to inspect my apartment. I ask the maintanece person about this but he denies mold. I don;t think he is right. I need someone to check for mold
Try the EXPERTS DIRECTORIES link at page top
or check with your local health department to see if they'll help out.
"Black mold" is by no means the correct focus. Other molds are equally or more harmful and some black molds are harmless.
(July 21, 2015) Anonymous said:
I am renting townhouse I have COPD & on oxygen, people own townhouse above and their dryer vent is not hooked up correctly so odor of detergent comes threw my vents.
Odor is so strong for me I must take oxygen tanks and go sit in my car for several hours til odor disapates. They have had heating/air conditioner company tell them what is wrong but think they can fix it them selves but have done nothing for several months. My Leasing company has talked with them, Home Owners Ass. & I have pleaded with them to fix problem but they don't seem to be in a hurry to do anything.
This is a health problem, I'm 73 yrs. old, my lease is up for renewal end of Aug., I don't know where to go and need help. Please advise me on what to do about problem. Thank You
Anon:
You need to call your local health department for assistance, and also to ask them if your community has an organization that can help elderly or ill people with housing.
see HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS found by searching InspectApedia.com
(Aug 17, 2015) Connie said:
if a landlord was aware of a leaking roof prior to our move in, is there any legal action we can take due to the illness's the mold has developed in my husband?
Connie
First you'd need an independent expert to demonstrate that the leak and mold are connected.
Second you'll need to consult with an attorney who has expertise in rental law where you live, and to ask her to review the terms of your lease.
See
(Aug 17, 2015) Anonymous said:
My husband and I rent a trailer. It's rent to own.
However the landlord is supposed to take care of repairs until we own the trailer.
In March or April we discovered a leak underneath our master bath sink which a joins to our bed room.
We called maintenance they said the fixed it. A mont later we discovered it was still leaking and it was much worse. We called again they said it was completely fixed that there was a Crack in a part of the pipe and they got a new part and fixed it.
We believed them because there was no dripping anymore. I checked under my sink 3 days ago to do some light cleaning and I keep supplies in our bathroom there was moisture accumulating on everything underneath there and black mold on the back of the wall underneath the cabinet.
So we now know they still haven't taken care of the leak completely. What actions should I take to get my landlord to take care of this we took pictures and my husband has been cleaning the mold and bought special air purifiers.
We even stayed at a hotel for two days so we could air out the trailer by opening the windows using the purifiers and running fans. I'm concerned because my son has asthma, I have a severe allergy to mold and so does my husband. We also have a 10 month old baby.
We called our landlord this past weekend and aND she is supposed to send someone over. What are the next steps if this isn't taken care of?
Anonymous:
No one can accurately assess the actual health hazards of your home from must your note below, but I can warn you that "air purifiers" cannot possibly fix a mold contamination problem in your home. When the leak has been repaired you'll need to have the moldy materials removed, the surfaces cleaned, and perhaps sealed with a fungicidal sealant, before re-insulating.
If you cannot assure that the home is safe for your family the conclusions are obvious, if troublesome. If the landlord is not responding to repair requests or not having the work done properly, document that clearly in writing to the landlord. You may need help from a local real-estate-sales attorney who can review your contract, clarify the landlords obligations, and protect your interest.
(Oct 6, 2015) jim said:
The house we were renting had both an A/C Leak and a roof leak. After several phone calls with the owner he finally repaired the A/c and then put a new roof on the house.
There was water damage to two rooms and all he did was paint over them. a few month later the stains started to reappear through the paint and my wife began having migraines we informed him that we were concerned about black mold and he came and reinspected the damage and said everything was "to code".
our lease was up so we decided to just move rather than fight him on this. he has since rented the house to another tennant and did no repairs or disclose to them to potential risk about the mold problem. what should I do? or who should I contact to report this issue... Very Concerned
(Nov 6, 2015) Anonymous said:
I think my sister and I have mold or mildew we are renting a mobile home we have headaches we have a bad sinus infection our eyes burn and itch her eyes are red and swollen we had some leaking in here please help us
flag like
Anon there is some advice in the article above. If you have a specific question ask and I'll try to answer further.
(Dec 21, 2015) jaysun said:
I live in BC Canada I have been to 4 doctors 2 different emergency wards and blood and chest X-rays done 2 times in 4 days I've lived here only 4 weeks and got sick within the first 3 days. Try 3 types of antibiotics and 2 misdiagnoseis later and now I were a mask in my own house.
My government and my landlord have done nothing I can't breath tight chest headaches can't eat and coughing so hard I throw up. I just moved here and now I have to move again it is not even my first month here. I don't wish this on anyone these slum lords should be accountable big time. All I can say is it feel like a slow death, never felt this bad in my life.
Why is it the disabled,vetrans,and seniors that get the but end of the stick. This is a crime against humanity as far as im concerned. Merry.... Christmas EH! . thanks hope no one else has to go through this.
Sounds awful, jaydun. If I were sure a building was making me sick I'd go elsewhere asap
(Jan 2, 2016) CPR said:
Need of advice. I lived in my last apartment that had the mold for 2 years, within those 2 years I had multiple mold issues.
The first time I called in a work order. the maintenance came by they just painted it, then my second they came to demolished and place new drywall on all walls of the dining room, after all that the mold just kept coming back. I was never ask to move to a different building.
I was just offered $400 to keep my mouth shut. Well more mold was then starting to grow in the kitchen. I was done dealing with it and decided to leave 2 weeks prior to my actual move out date. I just said to myself,they should have more than enough time to demolish the whole apartment. NOW, I'm being slapped with a debt of oweing the apartments for the 15 days I couldnt stand to be.
Should I take this to: A State Housing Authority office near me?
Or should I contact the apartments along with the Better Business Bureau? I never thought to WRITE the apartments while residing there to let them know my concerns, I gave my thoughts in just words. :/ But have pictures of most of it.
Just painting mold without removing it and finding and fixing its cause is a sign of lack of understanding of effective mold remediation procedures. But its not clear that what you've seen means that a building needs to be demolished. If you need to get help from local authorities,
Continue reading at HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS
(Feb 1, 2016) evelyn boring said:
Since moving this apt in October asthma and allergies severe cough numerous things going on woth my body. Drs tried everything Finally Friday the 29th of january 2016. Diagnosied with mold poisoning. Dr said move immediately with a letter. Managment said today they would keep my deposit.
We have to be tomorrow night. Today i got infussion for hypogammaglobulin enemia weaked immune system. Suppose to rest for at least 2 days in the bed. Instead putting furniture in storage and moving to hotel room. Is there anything i can possible do ?
(Feb 15, 2016) MD said:
How would you feel about these levels in a rather busy, popular restaurant?
Kitchen- 27 Asp/Pen & 53 Clado
Walk In Freezer- 13 Asp/Pen
Office- 13 Asco & 27 Asp/Pen
Ice Maker- 13 Asco & 27 Asp/Pen & 13 Clado
Mens Bathroom- 13 Asp/Pen & 27 Clado
Womens Bathoom- 27 Asco & 13 Asp/Pen
Outside - 120 Asco & 13 Asp/Pen & 53 Basidio
MD
I would feel frustrated that people keep paying good money for usually worthless, non-diagnostic, non-prescriptive "mold tests" and worse, that the people performing the test don't provide even the most basic help in understanding the (rather questionable) test result.
Counts with no inspection, with incomplete comparative data, with no explanation of how the counts were obtained, particularly in these low ranges are not sufficiently diagnostic. What was missing was a competent inspection. Heck for all we know, that "Office- 13 Asco & 27 Asp/Pen " could have been a conclusion based on two physical mold spores.
(Mar 15, 2016)
Re-posting without disallowed link
Kazimierz said:
Hello, very please at least an opinion whether it is worth fighting, maybe someone else will protect against diseases caused by similar problems. I worked with a company J9 Accommodation for 8 years, which dealt with renting houses and apartments. These houses were about 140.
I worked there as a handyman. I changed the locks, doors assembled, painted, repaired and did all reconstructed houses, which bought the owner. I am preparing them to live. I worked also as a driver, transport- furniture, mattresses, refrigerators, washing machines, dirty litter the same car and it was all moldy and infested with fungus it was poison.
In 90% of homes are infected with mold and fungus because the owner buys old houses for demolition, he does not even notice that they are infected with fungus and mold, any of us workers or landlords never informed about the consequences of being in such polluted areas. Only now I know it is a long-term poisoning of people, which leads to severe illness and sometimes death.
When performing a standard fault as always it did in one of the houses landlord wyprosili me out of the house and told that I have to arrange to come inside, I noticed that customers are narcotics, they were drugs. I told all this to my superiors, superiors told the landlord house, that I about them reported a about their problems with drugs and maybe even distribution, I began to fear for their safety, I complained to the owner, but I sold and two weeks later I was informed that they are dissatisfied with my services and immediately fired me without any warning.
I was without a job, without money, plus my partner also awaiting surgery. I fell into a hidden depression, which I did not know also worked in a mold, moisture and toxic mushrooms in these homes, and my body was weak immune and this has triggered my disease hyperthyroidism, which already suffer two years with various additional complications.
I would also add that I got an attack of thyroid storm and then I went to the hospital at night where you found my thyroid disease and treatment is initiated, it is requested that the sick on it for a long time but it also did not know
I put on FB page where everything is described and what documents I sent to the company, but never received a reply.
Re-posting without cluttered facebook link
(Mar 21, 2016) Anonymous said:
Hey
A lot of time has passed. If you know someone who has lived in the home J9 Accommodation in the West Midlands. Or was cheated by this company, or want to live there, please let me know.
(May 22, 2016) Jon said:
I'm trying to be pointed in the right direction. My mom and stepdad live in a home that's is a total health hazard,
But my stepdad won't do anything about it.
My parents are seniors 77 & 66 yrs of age & stubborn. Is there a way to force them to renovate or relocate, for their own safety ?
This is in ATLANTA, Ga. The list of problems include: electrical, plumbing, flooring, no insulation, lead & mold presance.
What can a I do?
Check with your local health department and with Elder protective services
(July 8, 2016) Krystal said:
I live in a low income apartment iv had black mold for about 3 years. My apartment manager gave me spray and said I have to clean it. The mold has been coming back off and on, now I have mushrooms growing from my wall. What can I do about this
(July 9, 2016) Patrick said:
I have black mold in my bathroom from the people upstairs. 3 times the people upstairs flooded my bathroom and now I have black mold what are my rights
Krystal, Spray alone is not an effective remedy for mold contamination nor will spraying mold do any of the following:
- find and fix the cause of leaks that caused the mold growth
- remove moldy materials that cannot be cleaned, such as dryrwall, insulation, wall-to-wall carpeting
- clean moldy wall, ceiling, or floor cavities
Patrick: your rights are in your rental contract - something to review with an attorney. In many jurisdictions the tenant is entitled to safe, habitable space.
(Sept 25, 2016) Theodore jones said:
I think I have mold in my apt it's greenish back fuzz and it has mushrooms growing is this one deadly
I can't know from just your one line e-text how dangerous is the mold in your apartment, Theodore, but if there is 30 sq.ft. or more of contiguous indoor mold it almost certainly merits professional cleaning and a repair of the leak that caused it. Certainly there are some green fuzzy molds such as some species of Aspergillus or Penicillium that are hazardous at high levels in indoor air.
Where occupants are elderly, asthmatic, immune impaired, infant, or otherwise at extra risk, the hazard is even more serious.
(Oct 15, 2016) sandra sherman said:
there is the smell of mold in our rental trailor complained but no one would ever do anything now my son is in the hospital wiah high white blood count dont know if that is the reason but with leaking plumbing and floors i am jus not sure dont have the money to test is there any free tests iam on cherokee housing. sandymissy@hotmail.com
If you smell mold, there's a mold reservoir to find and remove as well as a need to find and fix the leaks that caused it, Sandra.
In my OPINION testing for mold is unnecessary and not justified UNLESS your son's doctor says she needs to know the mold genera/species to which your son was probably exposed: there will probably be more than one mold genera/species present.
Otherwise, the steps to find, remove and clean up mold contamination indoors are not affected by the mold identity.
2016/10/18 Annie said:
We have been living in an apt. in Oxford NZ. The bathroom has had mold in the windows, but not everywhere. When I mop the floor, within 24 hours there is a black filmy substance all over the floors. Can't see where its coming from, but we live downstairs of a two story place. Should we be concerned about what is in the air depositing on the floors?
I'd be concerned, Annie, since even if the slime is not mold but algae or something else it's a slip and fall hazard. We don't know if the source is in the air (which should mean it shows up on other floors too) or something left on the floor from leaks or poor cleaning.
2016/10/21 Sharlenepole said:
I live in his housing at 110 northbridge crt apt d8 in moncks corner SC and believe I have a mold issue to the point I have have had two biopsies. My management doesn't see it my way. How can I get someone to check it before they bring in the contract rafters to prove me wrong!
Sharlene please see RENTERS & TENANTS ADVICE for UNSAFE or UNHEALTHY HOME where we give our best advice about what a tenant can and should do about mold hazards indoors.
If you believe there is an unsafe or unhealthy condition in your rental home and management will not respond to written notice by either taking appropriate action or providing you with authoritative evidence that the mold problem you cite is not present, then your recourse is with your health department or an attorney.
...
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