What Is My Landlords Responsibility To Eliminate Mold In My Apartment
Your landlord is responsible for properly cleaning up the mold and for repairing any conditions that are keeping the condition in your apartment wet.
The source of the water or moisture build-up should be stopped prior to cleanup If mold is cleaned but the water source isnt stopped, the mold will soon re-emerge. Even replacing a section of wall, ceiling, or floor will be inadequate, as the new piece will soon become wet.
Certain fixes may be expensive, such as replacing pipes between the walls or in adjacent apartments, fixing the roof, or repairing the outside walls of your building. Your landlord is responsible for making whatever repair is necessary to cure the problem, no matter what the repair costs. If your landlord resists, you may need to involve the courts.
Theres Mold In My Apartment: What Do I Do
Mold isnt just ugly to look atits dangerous to be around, especially for older adults, children, and people with certain health problems, like asthma. While there are some things you can do on your own, your landlord is legally required to fix the problem, whether youre in public or private housing. Use the steps below as a guide for getting your mold problem under control.
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Renting And Found Mold In Your Residence
Heres What You Can Do:
If you have found mold and believe it is causing health issues for those living in the house, condo or apartment youre renting and inhabiting, there are steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your loved ones.
1. Look at your lease
You can examine your lease to determine what it specifies about maintenance and notify the landlord or management immediately, in writing, about your concerns. If the mold is due to faulty construction, or due to negligence on behalf of the landlord, you will need to seek a remedy from the landlord.
2. Know the law
While Georgia doesnt have a specific law that addresses a landlords duties or liability specific to mold, landlords are bound by a statutory duty to maintain and repair the premises as well as the implied warranty of habitability, meaning that they must provide tenants with a habitable residence.
3. Talk to your landlord
The ideal situation is one in which landlord and tenant communicate and resolve the issue. If you find that is not the case, you need to seek legal representation. In Georgia, there is no governmental agency that has the power to intervene in a dispute between a landlord and tenant.
What to do if your landlord doesnt handle it
Contact an attorney today
Miranda Hanley
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Cause #: A Broken Washing Machine Hose
“We get a lot of these,” Gross says, placing the blame on cheap rubber washing machine hoses. Those are the ones that break, as opposed to the under $30 stainless-steel-wrapped hoses you can buy at Home Depot that almost never leak.”Treatment: For minor damage, the removal of moldings and drilling of holes to promote air circulation and drying, for a cost from $1,200 to $5,000.If mold has already set in, a full-scale remediation would entail removing the flooring and base moldings, cutting the sheetrock walls up two feet around the perimeter of the room, and then treating the area as described below. Price: $8,000-$12,000.
How Dangerous Is Black Mold
You may have heard the phrase “toxic black mold” in the news and on social media, which makes this greenish-black splotchy mold sound particularly scary. But is it really more dangerous than other types of mold?
“Toxic black mold” is a term often used to refer to Stachybotrys chartarum. Stachybotrys belongs to a class of molds that are toxigenic, meaning they produce a toxic substance called mycotoxins.
Science hasn’t found a causal link between black mold and certain serious health issues, so Stachybotrys isn’t necessarily more dangerous than other types of molds. According to the CDC, all mold problems should be addressed quickly, especially since the presence of mold in your apartment could be a sign of a long-term moisture problem.
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What Should You Do If You Discover Mold In Your Apartment
When you discover mold in your apartment, you must act quickly. Mold can spread if left untreated. It can also cause harm to whatever it is growing on.
#1. Consider the problems origin.
First, consider whether the source of the molds growth is something you can handle on your own. For example, if you discover mold in your shower, the solution could be as simple as cleaning it up and then cleaning your shower more frequently.
#2. Remove small mold patches from organic surfaces.
According to the EPA, if the affected area is less than 10 square feet , you can clean mold from organic surfaces yourself. Cleaning methods will differ depending on the surface.
#3. Notify your property manager of any major issues.
If the mold is the result of an uncontrollable moisture problem or water damage, its time to contact your property manager. They must address the underlying issues that cause mold as soon as possible.
#4. Check your renters insurance policy.
If structural issues beyond your control cause mold damage to your personal property, check with your renters insurance company. You may have coverage that allows you to replace damaged items such as furniture, rugs, or clothing.
Learn About Your Landlord’s Liability For Mold Problems How To Get Rid Of Mold And How To Prevent It In The First Place
Mold is an environmental hazard that can cause concern among renters. Across the country, tenants have won multimillion-dollar cases against landlords for significant health problemssuch as rashes, chronic fatigue, nausea, cognitive losses, hemorrhaging, and asthmaallegedly caused by exposure to “toxic molds” in their building.
If you suspect there is mold in your rental unit, learn what to look for and when your landlord might be liable. Even better, take steps to prevent mold before it becomes a problemor clean mold up before it does become a problem.
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Options If You Live In Subsidized Or Public Housing
The process of requesting help with a mold or moisture issue in subsidized housing begins the same way as it does for all other rental properties: submit a written request to the property management requesting repairs. If management is not cooperative, residents may have additional options. Individuals receiving rent assistance may have a social worker assigned to their area who can help mediate between the tenant and landlord. Contact the local public housing agency to see what services might be available. If this is unsuccessful, the tenant can try contacting the Minnesota Housing and Urban Development Office .
Do I Have A Responsibility As A Tenant To Keep My Home Free Of Mold
Simply put, yes. Tenants do have a responsibility to do what they can in order to keep the rental home free of mold. Additionally, tenants also have a responsibility to maintain clean and sanitary conditions in the house or apartment they are leasing. Examples of this may include:
- Not allowing sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and other water sources to to overflow
- Keeping windows closed during rainstorms or
- Utilizing exhaust fans in order to prevent mold from forming and growing in humid bathrooms.
It is important that tenants report maintenance issues to their landlord, as soon as the issues become apparent. It is especially important to immediately report if there has been a leak or flood in the rental property. Damp conditions could lead to mold growth which will need to remedied as soon as possible.
If it is found that the tenant simply ignored the issue, or caused the leak/flood and didnt want their landlord to know, then the tenant may be found responsible for the damage.
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Request A Mold Inspection
If your landlord refuses to take action after you have notified them of the mold problem, you may want to request a mold inspection. In many cases, landlords will not act until a formal inspection has confirmed the presence of mold.
A trained inspector will be able to find any existing or potential sources of moisture in your building that could lead to mold growth. They will also be able to determine the extent of the problem and recommend remediation.
Once the mold inspector has completed the assessment, they will provide you with a detailed report of their findings. This may help you and your landlord determine a long-term solution to the problem.
Signs Of Mold In An Apartment
Watch out for these signs of mold in an apartment:
- An off smell: If you notice a musty smell in your unit, it could very well come from mold. Check for further signs. Even if you dont immediately see anything obvious, a moldy odor means youll want to investigate more.
- Dirty spots: Mold is not always visible, but people can mistake it for stains like soot or dirt when it is. Remember that mold can come in various colors, sizes, and shapes, so dont just assume youre in the clear if that strange spot isnt black. A small mold spot could mean you have more mold lurking behind your walls or in other areas.
- Leaks: Because mold needs moisture, a leak in your unit may lead to mold. Mold often exists around pipes in front of and behind walls. If you have a leak, get it fixed right away, and check for mold signs after. The top causes of mold include leaks from another unit, clogged PTAC units, and broken washing machine hoses.
- Condensation: Again, lots of moisture creates the right conditions for mold. Condensation collects when a lot of moisture exists in the air. High humidity can make condensation even worse, and by extension, the conditions for mold growth even better.
- Flooding: Likewise, flooding often leads to mold. Even if the flood occurred a while ago, you might have mold that grew undetected and is just now showing itself.
If any of these issues exist in your apartment, you should start addressing them with your landlord right away.
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Does A Landlord Have To Remove Mold From A Rental Property In Texas
The law says that landlords in Texas have a duty to remove conditions that materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant if all of the following are true:
- The condition was not caused by the tenant , the tenants family, or the tenant’s guests and
- The landlord has proper written notice of the condition and
- The tenant is not delinquent in rent at the time of giving the landlord notice to repair or remedy.
Read the law here: Texas Property Code 92.056.
Common Places Where Mold Hides
Mold needs two things to thrive: moisture and some amount of darkness. Places where moisture is frequent or excessive are prime spots for mold growth, especially if those places don’t have a lot of exposure to light.
Here are a few places where mold can lurk. But keep in mind that mold can grow anywhere indoors given the right conditions.
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Whats The Difference Between Mold And Mildew
According to the EPA, mildew refers to certain types of mold or fungus, but its often used as a catch-all term. The science gets a bit technical, but heres a simple way to think of it:
- Mold: Mold thrives on organic materials such as cardboard, wood, drywall, upholstery and fabrics.
- Mildew: Mildew is found on hard surfaces such as shower walls or vinyl window frames.
Both mold and mildew grow wherever moisture is present and both can create the same health risks.
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Things That Can Be Mistaken For Mold
Moss, algae, and lichen can grow on the siding, roof, or patio of your home and can often be mistaken for mold. They tend to grow in naturally humid climates. You might see moss growing on apartments in Seattle, WA, but it would be pretty unusual to see it on apartments in Phoenix, AZ.
These plants tend to be harmless, but they can be signs of a moisture problem that can lead to indoor mold or damage the home. They can also mean other, larger issues with the home.
Dark stains, pollen, and even dust buildup can also be mistaken for mold damage.
When in doubt, document the problem and tell your property manager or landlord, just in case.
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Examine The Apartment For Discoloration
Make your way through your apartments rooms, looking for water damage or the presence of mold on the walls or the floor. Though you can begin in areas where there is obvious moisture, such as the bathroom or laundry closet, keep in mind that mold can be found anywhere. Look for green, brown, or even black mold spots, but you may also notice a water stain on the ceiling or along the base of the wall. This could imply that water damage occurred in the past, potentially leaving mold to grow in an unnoticed location.
Tenant Laws And Mold In A Rental
Tenant laws enter into new territory from mold laws.
All states will allow a tenant to take legal action if a habitable environment is not provided by the landlord. Landlords in all states but Arkansas are responsible for maintaining fit and habitable housing and repairing rental property, and this extends to fixing leaking pipes, windows, and roofs.
If the landlord doesnt take care of leaks and mold grows as a result, you might be able to hold the landlord responsible if you can convince a judge or jury that the mold has caused a health problem. Theres a but
While this is on a case by cases bases, most of the time the mold growth has to occur while you are living in the rental. If the landlord failed to fix a previous leak in a timely manner or because proper remediation was not completed you may not have a claim. You may have mold growing behind your walls and not know. Your health might be impacted. But you probably cant do anything about it legally. Unless.
Visible mold begins to grow OR you take matters into your own hands as a tenant and hire a professional mold inspector to assess the mold in a rental. More on that in a minute.
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Black Mold Is A Health Hazard
Technically known as Stachybotrys chartarum, black mold poses a serious threat to human health by causing respiratory problems, mental impairment, skin inflammation, and internal organ damage.
Black mold thrives in moist, dark places that have poor air circulation like between walls or beneath floorboards. That means it can go unnoticed until its too late.
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How Do I Detect Black Mold Inside My Walls In The First Place
Peeling wallpaper can also be a symptom of mold. While some scruffiness and discoloration tend to eventually strike your wallpaper, unusual surface or peeling abnormalities such as crackling or bubbling can be a sign of wall moisture. And remember, a reliable precursor to mold is always going to be moisture. Make sure to pay attention to any warped areas that feel damp.
To keep mold from growing in your cooling or heating systems, you can have a specialist check them regularly. Another indication of mold in the house is dark grout between bathroom tiles. Even if this type is most likely the harmless type, there could be flooding in the adjacent room or a leak in bathroom plumbing that could produce a more toxic fungus type that only professionals can remove. A sample sent for testing will let you know whether or not your shower is harmless.
Mold could also be the culprit when you have pre-existent problems with breathing that after long periods at home seem to flare up. Many household species of mold wont affect persons that do not have issues with breathing. However, in individuals suffering from asthma, it could aggravate it. Consider a mold inspection and a doctors appointment if the problems with your breathing seem to get worse with no clear cause.
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What To Do If You Suspect The Presence Of Mold In Your Apartment
Your liabilities and responsibilities will differ depending on whether you rent or own your unit. If you are a condo owner, you will generally be responsible for handling it yourself, although there could be shared liability if the mold issue affects common areas.
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Notify Your Landlord
If you are a renter, notifying the landlord should be your first step. Doing so promptly allows your landlord to investigate and fix the problem quickly. It also helps to reduce any potential liability on your end if its determined that your actions or inactions led to the molds appearance.
Disrupt Mold Growth
If its within your control, try to remove the mold growth factors. Removing and preventing excessive water or moisture from accumulating, or using a dehumidifier to bring down the humidity levels will help disrupt the growth by starving it of what it needs to survive.
Treating Larger Mold Problems
When mold infestation affects an area larger than 10 square feet or isnt easy to clean, its best to seek professional help.
Professional mold removal services typically cost between $500 and $3,000, depending on the extent of the damage. In some cases, they can cost more.
A tenant might be able to hire a licensed contractor for testing, but they should keep in touch with their landlord, says Action 911 owner Andrew Evans.
If need be, an owner must become involved because only they have the authority to conduct clean-up work in their own house, Evans says. A contractor cant do anything without written consent from the landlord.
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