renters rights?

Question

MOLD in the WWALLS!!!what can I do I have mold in the appartment is the landloard responsible for putting us up I can't live there while the mold is there.can i void my lease if not fixed in Quick fashion?What about contaminated bedding and so forth.

Answer 1

Mold is very unhealthy. Like other posters have said, renter's rights depend on your state of residence. However, you should take photographs of the mold, do a spore test and send the results to your landlord. Tell him that this is a breach of the warranty of habitability, you are concerned for your health, and if it is not remedied within thirty days you will take "appropriate action." You can figure out what that action is if thirty days passes and nothing happens.

Answer 2

I had this problem in a place I used to live in. It depends on the state you live in and the terms of your lease, but I know that they are responsible for cleaning it. Most likely they are not responsible for damage to your property and there is probably a statement in your lease urging you to get renter's insurance to cover damages. Trust me, they already know that the apartment has a tendency for mold as this is not something that just happens as afreak occurence. The reason you are getting mold is because of poor insulation coupled with the humid environment in which you live. So I am pretty sure they took steps to cover their asses. However, since you have mold the apartment is not inhabitable and if it is not fixed in a timely manner tell them that you want to break your lease without penalty. You most likely won't be able to get further damages. If they give you a hard time, threaten to sue and threaten to call your local action line with the newspaper or news station. Most likely they won't want the bad publicity because potential renters will see it and it will cost them business. Also call your local health department to see if they can help, as well as your local housing authority to see if their building is up to standard. Do not be afraid to make life difficult for them. That way they will probably want to let you leave rather than deal with you causing a ruckus for them.

Answer 3

these laws vary from state to state. If there is a validated health issue, you can break your lease without penalty (including keeping your deposit).

Are you sure it is toxic mold, and not mildew? Most mold issues are inside the walls, and with the exception of airducts, are not dangerous until the walls are broken open.

I suggest you buy a mold sample test. You scrape a mold sample, and send it into a lab, and they test it for toxic spores. You can also hire somene to do this, but it is cheaper if you do it yourself.

If it is just mildew, kill and clean it with a bleach solution.

Answer 4

It depends on the state. There is a warranty of habitability implicit in every lease that would cover things like this, but most of the time you actually have to move out in order to get that to kick in. And then the states don't always recognize it in a way that would be favorable to you.

Best thing to do would be to consult a lawyer. Many cities have tenants rights organizations or there is always legal aid. Tenant/landlord law is complicated and varies widely in the way that it is applied, so that's your best bet.

Answer 5

Your landlord is responsible for mold/mildew removal in most states. And it may be reason to break the lease.

Check the laws for your state, or talk to the rent board or tenants rights organization in your area.

Answer 6

Call the health department Expecially if you have children in the house. They will find you a place to stay, and the landloard will have to pay.

Answer 7

Call your State or Local Department of Health or Sanitation.

Answer 8

Check out the sites below, they might help.

Good Luck.

Answer 9

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources.html


There have been hundreds of millions of dollars awarded in mold lawsuits...