16 May Should You Get a Mold Inspection When Buying a Home?
Buying a new home is an exciting process that can also come with some stressful moments. For example, home inspection day might unveil some unexpected problems with the home you plan to buy. Home buyers often ask us how to check for mold in a new home. Is mold a deal-breaker? Do home inspectors check for mold? And can someone sell a house with mold in the first place? The experts at Pure Maintenance NE are here to discuss this topic in more detail.
Is it legal to sell a house with mold?
Believe it or not, it is legal to sell a house with mold, even if it has toxic black mold. However, if the home seller knows there is mold in the home, they need to be upfront about it, and notify potential buyers. If they don’t, the buyer may be able to sue the seller for intentionally concealing this health hazard.
For home buyers and sellers, Massachusetts is a “caveat emptor” or “buyer beware” state. This means that the state does not legally require sellers to disclose all information about the property to the buyer. It is up to the buyer to ask the right questions and hire an inspector who can uncover any potential problems.
Do home inspectors check for mold?
The main job of a home inspector is to assess the overall condition of a property and the safety of its main components and systems. A home inspector evaluates the inside and outside of a home, such as the foundation and the roof. They also check the home’s essential systems, like HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.
Do home inspectors check for mold? Not necessarily. As an inspector reviews the property for sale, they may find traces of mold or damp spots where mold could potentially grow. However, there is a limit to what they can see visually. For example, a home inspector cannot see through walls to check for mold that might be growing inside. Nor will they likely be able to see mold growing inside the HVAC system or air vents.
Although most home inspectors will tell you when they find physical evidence of mold or warning signs of mold growth, not all of them consider this important. When you hire a home inspector, make sure to ask them to include any mold-related findings in their final report.
Should I get a mold inspection when buying a house in Massachusetts?
Technically, it is not a home inspector’s job to look for mold in your new home. For this reason, we highly recommend scheduling a pre-purchase mold inspection with a mold remediation specialist.
Mold testing looks for signs of mold in the air and in places not visually apparent to home inspectors and buyers. If their tests indicate the presence of mold, the mold inspector can offer remediation options to remove the mold quickly.
Are you getting ready to purchase a new home? Don’t get caught off guard by mold! Set your mind at ease and schedule a mold inspection with Pure Maintenance NE today—call 401-205-3825 to speak with one of our experts.
Photo by Alena Darmel on Pexels.com
No Comments