What Are Black Mold Health Symptoms
We all know mold isnt welcomed in the home, but did you know too that breathing in the presence of mold can harm your health? There are over 2,000 different species of mold and the most dangerous of all is called Stachybotrys Chartarum, also known as black mold or the invisible killer.
Why is black mold so dangerous? Black mold releases toxic spores that linger in the air and attack your respiratory health. The potency of these toxic spores has proved to be the most detrimental to human health.
Black mold often appears as slimy and greenish-black. If its water source runs out, it can also appear as dry and powdery. Black mold is also dangerous because its sometimes difficult to distinguish from other species of mold.
The following are health symptoms associated with black mold exposure:
In severe cases, symptoms caused by inhaling black mold can lead to the following health troubles:
- Respiratory complications
Sometimes mold invades spaces that are hard to see and reach. It spreads fast, burrowing into walls and ceilings and hiding in cupboards and under carpets. Quite often, people are exposed to black mold without even knowing it. If you or anyone in your home is experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms without knowing why, you may be exposed to mold.
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Can I Break My Lease If There Are Black Mold In My Apartment
Black mold is a very dangerous type of mold that can cause severe respiratory diseases and eventually, death. Having them growing on your apartment is not acceptable. If you do find one growing in your apartment, it is not necessary for you to move out immediately. Here are some suggestions on what actions to take when finding black mold:
- Make sure that it is black mold. Do not touch the mold. Just take pictures and show them to some experts for verification.
- Report immediately to your landlord. Make sure you put everything on paper. And do your best effort to communicate with him on the actions to take, paying for treatment, etc.
- Isolate the area. Make sure no one touches or goes near the area with the mold. If you can seal the entire room, do so.
- Hire an expert. Regardless on the agreement you had with the landlord on payment for the treatment, you still should hire an expert for the treatment.
How To Test For Mold In Your Apartment
The only sure way to identify what type of mold is present in your apartment is to have it tested by a professional. This is particularly true if you smell mold or have other symptoms of a mold problem but you can’t actually see signs of mold growth.
However, if you’re already convinced you have mold growth, testing for mold in your apartment isn’t necessary. The CDC suggests that all mold should be treated as a potential health hazard and removed. Instead of wasting precious time finding out what kind of mold you have, follow the removal steps below to get rid of it as soon as possible.
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Finding Mold In Your Apartment As Homeowner
If you own your apartment, you have no landlord to which to report this serious problem. You may need to pay for remediation services on your own, especially if your homeowners association does not cover this type of damages in your agreement with it.
You may also be able to clean some or all of it up yourself. Make sure you wear goggles and gloves if you decide to use bleach and a sponge to clean up mold in your home by yourself.
The Renters Responsibility For Mold In Apartment
A small instance of mold growth may not qualify. It would only apply if an underlying plumbing problem that caused the mold.
Renters are also responsible for taking care of the property. Those who pour water onto the carpet and do not clean or dry the area are responsible for any mold growth. Renters are responsible for any problems associated with their apartments. The landlord is only required to handle problems that the renter would not have caused.
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Can I Sue My Landlord For Mold
Mold is one of many environmental hazards that can cause significant health problems, especially if large amounts are present in a home or apartment. Toxic types of mold such as black mold can easily lead a tenant down a path of crippling medical bills. If youre in this situation, you may be wondering: can I sue my landlord for mold? Below, Chicago personal injury attorneys at Curcio Law Offices discuss how to best handle this legal issue.
Our top-notch attorneys have extensive knowledge of Landlord-Tenant Law in Illinois. If youre not sure how to best handle the mold problems in your apartment, contacting our law firm may be a good starting point. If youre ready to start an attorney-client relationship with our team of attorneys, call today.
You Have No Financial Responsibility
In most cases, mold removal is your landlord’s responsibility. So long as you did not cause the leak , you are not legally obligated to pay for the remediation or subsequent repairs.
If your landlord does not take the issue seriously enough, you have every right to take legal action and potentially break your lease.
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What Apartment Mold Symptoms Should Worry Me
Mold is a fungus that grows in the presence of moisture in warm, dark places. It releases tiny little spores into the air and, if left untreated, can make you really sick. Those spores can settle into your lungs.
You might have mold if you witness or experience any of the following:
- A persistent musty smell
- You see black or dark green spots appearing on any surface
- You start having physical symptoms like sneezing, coughing, trouble breathing, itchy eyes, or skin rashes that get better when you leave your apartment
- You see signs of water intrusion like bulging drywall, bubbling or peeling paint, and/or discoloration from water stains that werent dried out immediately.
You might only see or feel just one symptom, but it is very important not to ignore signs of mold for the sake of your health. Each of these apartment mold symptoms is a cause for concern.
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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What Are The Three Causes Of Moldand What Can You Do About It
Moisture encourages mold growthso places like bathrooms and basements are top spots for mold growth, as are areas around heating and cooling appliances and vent ducts.According to Gross, the following three scenarios are the most common ways mold takes hold in NYC apartments, both new and old.
Many types of mold present a serious health hazard. And getting rid of mold is expensive. Very often, your landlord, co-op or condo building should bear the cost. To get them to act responsibly, you may need to take legal steps, says New York City real estate lawyer Steven Wagner. An attorney who knows what they are doing can find the leverage points of your situation. Sometimes, all it takes is a letter from your lawyer. To schedule a free 15 minute telephone consultation with Steven Wagner, or call 646-780-7272.
What You Can Do If You’re A Tenant In Texas
Tenants might feel like there is nothing they can do if they look up one day and see their ceiling spotted with a constellation of black dots.
Some landlords are very helpful, but others are notoriously slow to deal with tenant complaints. Many are even out-of-state investors who only collect rent checks and rely on property managers to deal with apartment issues.
When this is the case, sometimes tenants have to take matters into their own hands. Texas courts have recognized two self-help strategies for tenants after a mold outbreak on a rental property:
See the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook for more information on both strategies.
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Consider The Source Of The Problem
First, consider whether whatever has caused the mold to grow is something you can manage yourself. If you find mold in your shower, for instance, the solution could be as simple as cleaning it up and then cleaning your shower more frequently. But if the mold growth is the result of a problem like water damage, you’ll need to get your property manager involved.
Learn How To Identify Mold
Once you recognize the smell, you should start looking for the places in which mold tends to grow. Mold can be black, white, green, gray, shiny, or dusty. Some of these varieties are easy to smell and see while others hide around baseboards, between walls, and in corners of your attic or basement. It would be best if you can also recognize what it looks like. Apart from physically seeing the mold, noticing bubbling paint, drywall, or discolored paint and wood could be signs of mold growth.
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How To Tell If Your Apartment Has Mold And What To Do About It
Learn how to tell if you have mold in your apartmentand what steps to take if you do.
Whether youre about to sign a lease or already in an apartment, you should know the telltale signs of mold. Mold can lead to property damage as well as an array of health problems, so youll want to take care of any mold problems as soon as you discover them. By learning the signs and symptoms of apartment mold, youll know when you need to take action.
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What If The Landlord Is Failing To Take Action
1. Ask a lawyer
Your state might not require for you to have a lawyer, but it may be helpful to get a professionals opinion on your best options and how to proceed in case your landlord does not take action to remove the mold. Remember, mold is harmful to your health and you want it to be gone as soon as possible. You might have to file a lawsuit and the court will be able to order a repair.
2. Keep documentation
Remember to keep copies of your written interaction with the landlord, the photos of mold, and any receipts revolving around the issue. For example, keep the results from the indoor air quality test check.
3. Move out
If the issue is not being resolved, it is probably best to move out, especially if the landlord is not responsive. It is probably a good sign that the accommodations arent safe for you.
Got any other tips on dealing with mold? Share your ideas by tagging us @ApartmentList on or .
Can Mold Exposure Make You Sick
Yes, mold exposure can make someone sick, especially if theyre extremely sensitive to mold and other allergens. A mold problem in a rental unit could either produce zero health effects or dozens of health effects. This really depends on the person, the type of mold, the amount of mold growth, and the length of exposure.
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Common Locations Of Toxic Mold In Apartments
If youre developing random cold and flu-like symptoms, it may be time to check your apartment for black mold. All types of mold can grow where there is moisture. So it may be worth checking your place for water damage in bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, etc. Common locations of mold in apartments include:
- Air conditioning systems
- Basements and attics
What Can You Do About Mold Growing In Your Apartment
We spoke about mold disclosure laws for landlords in California at the beginning of 2021. We touched on health and safety codes, California laws around mold, and what you can do about mold growing in your apartment. Lets expand on that topic some more and discuss how to get rid of mold growth in your apartment.
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Tell Your Landlord Manager Or Super Right Away
If you rent in New York City, your landlord must take specific steps to eliminate all visible mold as well as the poor housing conditions that led to the mold. Leaks, moisture entering your apartment, and lack of ventilation can lead to recurring mold and related conditions like infestations of roaches and other pests. Mold grows rapidly so report the condition immediately and provide your landlord ready access to your apartment for repairs.
Once you report the problem, be ready to schedule time for the landlord and/or contractors to inspect and repair the issue. Under New York City regulation, you must provide the landlord access to inspect the condition upon reasonable notice , and the landlord should provide you one weeks written notice prior to entering your apartment to perform work. If the condition constitutes an emergency , you must provide access to the landlord right away. If you live in NYCHA, call the Customer Care Center at 707-7771 or make a complaint online to request repairs. You can also contact 311 to make a record of the complaint.
Is Landlord Responsible For Mold Testing
Some landlords may offer free mold inspections for renters prior to moving in. Its helpful to have a move-in checklist so that both landlord and tenant can establish the condition of the rental property.
Based on the findings of the apartment mold inspection, the tenant can ask the landlord to make the necessary changes prior to moving in. It is important to know the correlation between mold and tenants rights as written within the agreement.
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How To Prevent Any Future Mold
You can often prevent mold from growing in your apartment in the first place. Here are a few tips to keep it from gaining a foothold:
- Keep the air moving. Open windows when weather permits. Use portable or ceiling fans to keep air circulating.
- Use ventilation fans. Always use the fan in your bathroom and above your stove to vent moisture out of your apartment.
- Keep humidity low. Air conditioners and heaters can help control humidity. You can also use a dehumidifier if necessary.
- Clean up any moisture problems quickly. If something like a spill or an open window during a rainstorm drenched part of your apartment, use fans and ventilation to dry everything thoroughly.
- Use mold-killing cleaners and clean regularly. Keeping your bathroom clean and dry is the best way to prevent mildew growth.
- Don’t store wet towels or clothing. Hang damp items up to dry before putting them into a hamper.
As worrisome as mold seems, in most cases, it’s possible to avoid mold growth. When searching for a new place, be sure to read Rent. apartment reviews to find the perfect rental and avoid any problematic properties. Before you move into a new apartment, inspect it carefully for signs of damage that could lead to mold.
Once you’re moved into a new place, keep it well maintained. A clean, dry and well-ventilated apartment is usually a mold-free apartment.
Cause #: Clogged Ptac Units
All-in-one heating-and-cooling units, lodged radiator-style against the wall, are a huge blind spot for NYC apartment owners in newer buildings who tend not to realize that PTAC units require twice-yearly maintenance, and that falls under the apartment owners responsibility, Gross says. If you rent, its your landlords responsibility.
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