Links To More Information About Mold
The information and advice from this fact sheet was collected from the following agencies contact them for more information or assistance:
- The New York City Department of Health can provide information about the health effects of mold exposure and information about the safe removal of mold.
- New York City Department of Health, Office of Environmental Investigations at 4423372 or the Environmental and Occupational Disease Epidemiology Unit at 7884290.
- There is information about mold, how to remove it, and how to deal with some of the health effects the NYC Dept of Health website: Facts About Mold Guidelines on Assessment and Mold in the Home.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Center for Environmental Health has information on its website about mold and clean up procedures as well as links to information about mold and asthma and other environmental issues.
- The National Institutes of Healths Medline provides web access to articles on various types of health issues related to mold.
- Use libraries and the internet to search for magazine and newspaper articles on mold, its health effects and what tenants are doing around the country to combat the problem.
Know Your Tenant Rights
Tenant rights vary from state to state. But they usually include laws that protect tenants from living in an unhealthy environment.
Tenants may need to meet some or all of the following requirements before management is legally required to fix a mold problem:
- The tenant sent timely notice in writing
- The mold wasnt caused by the tenant or tenants guests in the rental unit
- The tenant isnt behind on rent
Unlike health hazards like lead paint, the U.S. government has no federal laws regarding mold in apartments or other rental property. Each state makes its own guidelines, so check the landlord-tenant law where you live to plan your next steps.
According to most state laws, landlords are required to resolve any mold growth issues if theyre notified by the tenant, says Victor Coppola, owner of GreenWorks Environmental. If small amounts of mold are present in easily accessible areas, such as around bathtubs or on walls, tenants may be able to clean it themselves. But if excessive mold starts to grow, it may be time to call in professionals for removal and remediation.
What Is Mold And Where Is It Found
Mold is an environmental hazard that can exist in apartments and rental properties. Mold can come in various colors, textures, and musty smells. Some mold is clearly visible, but other types of mold can hide in less accessible places inside your apartment or rental property.
Mold, which needs moisture to grow, can be found in damp or water-soaked materials such as newspapers or cardboard boxes, ceiling tiles, or wall paneling. Naturally humid areas like the southern portion of the United States or parts of Texas and California may be more susceptible to mold. However, the truth is that mold can exist anywhere moisture is present.
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How To Test Mold In Apartments
While the suspicion of mold spores should have you calling the experts in mold remediation, there are some things you can do on your own to see if you have a mold problem. If your search does lead to you finding signs of mold damage due to a moisture problem, dont delay in calling the professionals to test for mold.
Identify And Prevent Mold Growth Problems In Your Apartment
Understanding how and why mold can grow in your apartment, as well as knowing how to identify a potential problem is critical to avoiding the negative health effects of mold exposure.
If you do suspect a problem, contact your landlord as soon as possible and inform them of your concerns. The earlier you identify a mold infestation, the easier it will likely be to deal with. And if your landlord refuses to take action, consider contacting your municipal health department, property standards office, and legal action to get a fast resolution.
Ferro Canada is a leading environmental services company specializing in mold testing and removal. If you have mold growing in your commercial or residential building, contact our C.R.A.S.H Team and speak to an expert today.
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To Prevent Mold Growth In Your Home
- Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you canno higher than 50%all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your homes humidity at a home improvement store. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
- Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
- Fix any leaks in your homes roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
- Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly after a flood.
- Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores.
- Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
- To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agencys book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at .
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Why Does Mold Appear
As in any usual household, mold can appear in rental properties for several reasons. Here are the most common:Excessive humidity occurs when there is excess moisture in the air compared with how much moisture can be absorbed by objects or materials in a room. High moisture levels often come about when plumbing leaks go undiscovered for an extended period since leaking faucets or a broken pipe release water into the surrounding environment.Poor ventilation – Ventilation with outdoor air exchange can significantly decrease indoor concentrations of mold spores. It is important to have fresh and clean air with adequate circulation capacity in each room of your home.Relative humidity levels that remain at or above 50% for extended periods will also contribute to increased levels of moisture in the indoor environment, which may lead to an increased presence of mold spores and other biological contaminants such as bacteria and viruses.Excessive debris/clutter – This includes things like dirt, dust, food scraps, etc., if they are not regularly cleaned up from areas susceptible to their accumulation, such as the basement. Clutter also includes excessive indoor plants.Poor housekeeping can allow excess amounts of dust to accumulate over time, attracting other biological contaminants to grow, including bacteria and mold spores.
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We Will Litigate Your Black Mold Lawsuit
Yes, you can sue your landlord for mold issues. Whether youve just noticed mold, you or members of your family have developed symptoms of mold infection, or your household goods or personal property were damaged by mold, give us a call to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
We know how to win a mold case, and weve gotten our clients black mold lawsuit settlements and judgments. Our toxic mold lawyers will evaluate your case at no cost to you and help you file a lawsuit to recover monetary damages as well as make sure your rental property is a safe place to live for you and your family.
+++++ Disclaimer+++++ This blog is considered advertising and does not constitute any client-attorney privilege and does not offer any advice or opinion on any legal matter. This blog was drafted by Digital Mixology a digital marketing, Public Relations, advertising, and content marketing firm located in Philadelphia, PA.
Saffren & Weinberg
Is It The Landlords Responsibility To Check For Mold
Do you have reason to think that your apartment has mold in it? If so, the first thing you want to do is tell your landlord. You want to do this so that the mold doesnt spread throughout the building any more than it already has. From there you can figure out a solution.
Many people are going to be wondering if the landlord is responsible for the testing and removal of the mold. Your landlord is first and foremost responsible to the tenant to providing them with a habitable rental property. This doesnt mean they are responsible for cleaning up the water damage that you caused while you were living there, but it does mean that they are responsible for making sure your apartment unit was good to go from the beginning of your stay. If it wasnt, they would be on the hook for testing and cleanup.
Lets look at a couple of different scenarios.
Say your landlord rented you your apartment and didnt realize there was mold growing in it. Either behind the walls or in the ceiling due to a leak in the apartment above the year before. In this case, the landlord would be responsible for taking care of the testing and removal of the mold.
More than likely, they would call in a professional restoration company that is experienced in mold and have them do some testing, then fumigation, then treatment of any and all areas that need it.
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Mold Clauses In Leases
Some landlords include clauses in the lease that purport to relieve them from any liability resulting from mold growth. At least one court has refused to enforce such a clause, ruling that to do so would be against public policy. More cases from other parts of the country are sure to arise as mold litigation makes its way through the courts. Some states require landlords to disclose information about mold to tenants.
A smart landlord will try to prevent the conditions that lead to the growth of moldand tenants should be the landlord’s partner in this effort. This approach requires maintaining the structural integrity of the property , which is the landlord’s job. You can help by preventing mold problems in your home in the first place and promptly reporting problems that need the landlord’s attention.
Why Is Mold In An Apartment Dangerous
Mold can make you sick, and those with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to more severe physical reactions due to the presence of mold. Whats worse is that you may become sick due to someone elses negligence since mold spores can travel through the air. Mold can cause bad colds, burning eyes, breathing problems, wheezing, and a stuffy nose.
The effect could be hazardous if you have a pre-existing condition like lung disease or asthma. Therefore, monitor and control the amount of humidity in your apartment, and keep an eye out for possible mold in your apartment the sooner you recognize the signs of mold growth and fix the problem the better.
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Mold In Apartment Tenants Rights: Make Sure To Check Your Lease Agreement
Since there are no clear-cut regulations when it comes to mold in rental property, most landlords will include relevant clauses in their lease agreements, or even have a lease addendum for mold. While landlords are still responsible for removing mold in a rental house, these provisions can relieve them from potential liabilities.
In a typical lease agreement or mold lease addendum, a landlord will inform the dangers of mold and the importance of mold prevention. Upon signing the contract, the tenant acknowledges that the rental unit is clean and free of mold prior to moving in. The tenant also agrees to employ strategies that will prevent the growth of mold in apartments such as using exhaust fans, opening windows, and cleaning the rental property regularly.
What Is Covered Peril Mold
If mold comes from a malfunctioning appliance, you are covered. While covered perils vary by insurance policy, common covered perils include sudden or accidental damage to a water heater or HVAC system, unexpected freezing of appliances due to weather, the weight of snow, ice or sleet, and explosions.
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Mold And The Landlord’s Duty To Maintain Habitable Premises
Even if your state or city doesn’t have specific mold laws, your landlord could still be liable for a mold problem in your rental, as a result of landlords’ responsibility to provide safe and livable housing. Depending on the situation, state law might give you options such as rent withholding if your landlord fails to fix a serious mold problem, or you might be able to file a lawsuit for mold-related health problems.
Can You Sue Your Landlord For Mold
Yes. However, a tenant will have to prove there is a mold problem. When it comes to mold in a rental the tenant typically needs to prove 4 things:
This is where a consultation with an attorney well versed in mold laws comes into play. You dont want to tackle a mold lawsuit on your own.
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I Have Mold In My New York City Apartment How Do I Protect My Home
This article was written by the team of housing experts at JustFix
Summary
Mold is a serious health hazard and can present severe problems if not treated. Learn about your rights and your landlords legal responsibilities in dealing with mold.
What can JustFix do?
Use our online tool to write a Letter of Complaint to your landlord
Mold poses a danger to the health of renters, particularly older adults, children, and people with underlying health problems, like asthma. While landlords often deal with mold by simply painting over the problem areas, this strategy rarely, if ever, solves the underlying problem. In fact, New York City law now requires landlords to do more than simply spot treat mold in both public and private housing. Read on to learn more.
Jump to
Problems With Diy Mold Removal
Theres a reason molds are one of the most plentiful fungi on planet Earthbecause theyre very difficult to control. Mold produces tens of thousands of spores, which are easy to spread and invisible to the naked eye. As a result, just the act of trying to dry out or clean an area with mold can spread spores through air vents to other areas of your house. Whether you use a commercially available mold and mildew remover, or create a DIY mix using vinegar or bleach, youll only be able to clean the surface, but not the source of the problem. And theres nothing more frustrating than scrubbing down a huge mold colony only to have it come back later!
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Mold In Rental Housing
The purpose of this information is to help tenants better understand the hazards associated with indoor mold growth and the options available to resolve mold problems. The rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords with respect to mold can vary depending on the terms of the lease contract, the cause of mold growth and whether local government agencies can intervene.
According to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 504B, the landlord is responsible to make sure that a rental unit is:
There are few laws or codes that specifically reference indoor mold growth. Some laws or codes mention disrepair, which may be the underlying cause of a moisture problem that leads to mold. Landlords and tenants should work cooperatively to keep rental units dry and free of mold growth.
How Long Does A Landlord Have To Fix A Mold Problem
After a tenant notifies their landlord that there is a mold problem, and that the condition is making the premises uninhabitable, the landlord must respond to the tenant and correct the problem within a reasonable time.
Under California Code, a reasonable time is deemed to be within 30 days from the day that they received notification from the tenant. If the landlord does not respond, then a tenant may take action against the landlord.
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Black Mold In Your Rental Consider Meeting With An Attorney Today
It may seem harmless, but certain types of mold can permanently destroy property and cause serious and sometimes lasting health problems. If you have suffered injuries that you believe are the result of this particularly dangerous type of fungus, you may need to sue your landlord for black mold. Find a toxic mold attorney in your area to learn more about your rights and legal options.
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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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