Mold problems/getting out of a lease?

Question

We have a mold problem in the bathroom of our apartment. The landlord had a new shower installed, and my roomate took pictures of what was behind the old one and it was horrible! I think the guy who installed the new shower just slapped it in over all the moldy walls. We want to move out because after thinking about for a while, we have determined that the mold could have possibly been the cause of illness (headaches, rashes, sinus problems, etc.) that we both have been having. What steps do we need to take to start the process. Should we have an expert come in and look at it? We don't need a lawyer do we? A code officer? The landlords are reallly nice and I don't want to make them mad, I just don't want to live with the mold anymore! We live in Montana. Thanks!

Answer 1

Here in AZ if the apartment is deemed unlivable you are allowed to leave without incident. I suggest you speak to the landlords and get an expert together to come examine the problem. Not all mold is dangerous.

Answer 2

First things first, before you go and get yourself all upset and thinking you are getting sick due to something that is behind the shower. Do you see evidence of mold right now other than a little bit that will grow on the caulk around the shower if you don't ventilate properly?

If not then don't worry about it. If the landlord had a new shower installed then he probably had the backer board replaced and any damaged wood areas sanded and treated behind it. Nonetheless if it is not now growing on the walls (coming from the back side of the wall, not from the inside of your bathroom ~ like you can't just wipe it off) then it's no problem. It would be nothing different than noticing that you have mold, mushrooms or moss growing outside your home.

In my area the fire department has a section that will inspect a home if you are worried about health concerns.

Don't let these people on here freak you out and get you to worry and make yourself sick.

Oh and here is just something to think about, a lot of people blame mold that they caused, meaning that they grew because they didn't open a window or report a water leak for all their problems when mold is everywhere outside if you live in a damp area. The key, most often is just opening your window which will help prevent mold growth and greatly improve the quality of indoor air. Ireland is very damp and moldy and the people are fine but you know what, they open their doors and windows every morning!

I live in a damp area myself and often run the heat for a few minutes in the morning to warm the air then open the windows. It keeps my place nice and fresh.

Answer 3

call ur landlord and discuss this with them. tell them your concerns about your health and about how the new bathroom was installed. if they agree to let u vacate then do so in 30days notice. if they dont agree then contact the state housing dept. make a formal complaint of the mold. they will put a lien on the property if the investigators find this true. the landlord will be hit continuously with fines until they comply with the state and fix the problem. talk to you r landlord and try to work out an agreement before u got that far though.

Answer 4

If you are getting sick I would imagine it is from the mold. I would not worry about the landlord being really nice, Nice can't make you healthy. I would talk to him about the mold behind the shower and see if he can get it cleaned up, or maybe he has another property for you to live at. Mold is a serious thing and it can escalate existing conditions, and start new health issues.

Answer 5

You should talk to your landlord first about your concerns and health issues. If they wont do anything about it, call your local city inspector. That is their job to make sure a rental is habitable. My sis is going through the same thing, only her landlord is suing her for damages. The mold was behind the walls in the bathroom and was there for years. She found out about it when they replaced the tub enclosure. If you can, take a sample of the mold and have it tested. Most likely it is stachaboris mold (black mold)so if he tries to sue, you will have your defense and basis to sue them.

Answer 6

All I can say in this point is, this kind of mold is very dangerous to your health. Most of the time it produced by a leaking pipe for a long period of times. Yes, you are right about everything. Follow your instinct and do what ever you need to do. First step maybe confront the landlord with it.

Answer 7

If the problem that caused the mould is not fixed, the mould will come back. If nothing was done about ventilation, the mould will come back. Mould can make you ill. If you spot any, use a bleach solution to kill it (wear gloves). If the walls behind the new shower have been made air/water tight, the mould on them should not affect you. First step would be to discuss it with the landlord. Avoid lawyers, mould is less harmful.

Answer 8

Contact the department of health. Mold is a serious problem. It caused my daughter to have all kinds of breathing problems, including being hospitalized with pneumonia twice when she was only 4.

The mold problem at the house we lived in at that time didn't seem too bad, either. But that was just what we could see.

Answer 9

You will need to obtain some sort of certified proof that the molds are actually contaminating the 'atmosphere' in your rental premises. Absent such evidence, you have no grounds upon which to break a lease agreement.

If your landlords are really nice, speak to them about your concerns courteously. Truly decent landlords do not want tenants living in unsafe environments.

Answer 10

It is an easy win, if you end up in small claims. Protect the pictures with your life.
Did they not clean wall with bleach before installing shower??
Then leave and if she refuses deposit you can file on her. But make sure you leave the apartment, clean and in good condition. Take pictures after all stuff is packed and moved out.