what can I do about mold building up in my apartment and the landlord does nothing about it?

Question

My daughter has asthma and I am worried. I have already asked the landlord to do something about it, but they said they can not do anything.

Answer 1

I am a landlord. Is it mold or mildew? Call a mold treatment company. Most will do an inspection for free. They have a meter that detects mold and it's amount. Have them give you a written inspection report. Give a copy of it to your landlord with a visible date,attach a note stating the date you first approached them concerning this issue.(make copies for your file) Send it registered mail. The landlord has a "reasonable amount of time " to correct the situation. Generally 2 weeks. You are entitled to have a "safe" home. If the landlord takes no action ,you may pay for the treatment yourself and withhold it from the rent. IF it is mold.Check your states tenant / landlord rights.

Answer 2

Sorry about your daughters Asthma. Mold tends to grow more during the higher humidity months in the summer. If you open your windows, mold spores may come into your apartment and set up colonies. But there is good news. You can combat mold if you reduce the humidity in your Apartment. (Mold will usually not grow if the humidity is less than 55%) So if you get a dehumidifier which will drop the humidity to a level that won't allow the mold growth. (I put a simple timer on mine that makes it run while I am a work). Other things you can do to help prevent mold: is to run your vent fan while taking a shower, Use disinfectant sprays such as Lysol, Make sure you get good air movement throughout your Apartment (Stagnant air promotes mold growth), Make sure to vacuum (when mold dies, mold sheds substances that can accumulate in house dust and continue to cause sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and asthma attacks. Air ducts also harbor mold/mildew. You may want an airduct cleaning service to clean your ducts....Try to get a referral from someone you know...Some services will try to rip you off. The California Dept. of Health Services put out a good article about your problem.....http://www.cal-iaq.org/MIMH_2006-06.pdf
I found that when I put the dehumidifier with a timer and was diligent about emptying the water from it, my basement mold went away in a couple of weeks. Good luck

Answer 3

earlier you bypass and tear walls down please answer some questions. Is the window regularly closed and do you go away it closed usually? once you bathe or bathe do you go away the window closed? the reason there is mould is by way of undesirable air flow at the same time as it includes moisture. because you've a window you likely haven't got a fan in the lavatory. i might want to point the mold get wiped clean with bleach (clorax) and function the land lord repaint it. Then save the door open or the window open at the same time as showering or turn the fan on if accessible. i'm just about constructive this may do the trick. in case you experience threatend in besides or in case you believe the mold is poisonous (has hairs on it or purely seems black and nasty) then call the housing authority immidiately. do a touch better study besides. yet in my opinion i'm fairly constructive the wide clorax and better ideal air bypass at the same time as showering will perfect this problem.

Answer 4

Your landlord has the responsibility of maintaining the property in a habitable condition, and this includes your mold problem.

Contact your local rent board or tenants rights association.

Answer 5

call the state inspector, that is a code violation. in the meanwhile, can u move? is the mold the deadly kind? try keeping her out of that particular room with the mold, if u can. this may help somewhat. bless your heart! i hate that for u.

Answer 6

Review your lease and see what provisions there are for disputes. Then contact a lawyer. Most will give a free consultation. Finally, if he will not fix the problem resend the lease and find a new place to live...

Answer 7

Is there a habability clause in your lease??? If the place is not habitable due to mold then you may be able to get out of your lease.

Answer 8

that's BS they're supposed to do something about it...well, landlord responsibility differs and varies from state to state...depends where you are...

Answer 9

IF YOUR PREPARED TO MOVE I'D CALL THE HEALTH DEPT. AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THIS. THEY CAN ALSO TELL YOU WHO ELSE TO CALL. SO START CALLING NOW AND GET THEM ON YOUR LANDLORD. HE'LL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT THEN.

Answer 10

Report it to the board of health. They HAVE to do something about it.