26 May What Should Renters Do When They Think They Have Mold?
While there are no federal laws regarding landlords and mold, they are legally required to maintain a safe space for their tenants. Your landlord can be held liable for removing any mold caused by their own negligence.
For real estate agents, some states such as California have created a mold disclosure that each buyer receives during their purchase. This disclosure details where mold may arise and recommends that the buyers have a mold test done on the space.
If you find mold in your living space, you’ll need to figure out the extent of the contamination and its cause. Getting an inspection from a professional mold remediation company like Pure Maintenance NE is the first step you should take. We’ll help you document the problem so you can notify your landlord.
Cooperative landlords will work with their tenants to find the cause of the mold and hire mold removal and remediation services. If your landlord is not cooperative, you may be able to seek legal action.
Symptoms of Mold Toxicity
The symptoms of mold sickness are often similar to the symptoms of a cold or common allergy. If you have any symptoms of mold exposure, be sure to consult a qualified medical expert right away. Symptoms can include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Coughing and nasal drip
- Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
- Watery eyes
- Dry, scaly skin
The severity of your symptoms will vary depending on the amount of mold present, the length of time you were exposed to the mold, and whether or not you have any underlying health conditions such as asthma, lung problems, or a compromised immune system.
Legal Responsibility for Landlords
A landlord’s responsibility in dealing with mold is not always clearly defined. Currently, there are no federal laws that hold landlords directly responsible for mold due to a lack of set exposure limits and building tolerance standards.
However, some states have taken measures to create a standard for mold and air quality in residential buildings. While mold is not specifically mentioned in federal law, there is a law stating that landlords must provide safe and livable housing. This clause correlates with the severity and potential severity of the issue.
Tenant Responsibility For Mold
Mold often grows in vacant apartments and in spaces that don’t have proper ventilation or that haven’t been cleaned recently. Always check for signs of mold when moving into a previously vacant rental space. It’s your responsibility as a tenant to make sure your rental is free from mold. If mold grows due to the tenant’s negligence, it will be their responsibility to pay for mold removal services.
For a summer or vacation rental, the best a tenant can do is let the landlord know of the issue and/or call a mold remediation service to determine whether the mold is toxic or not. A standard inspection can be completed within a day and can help determine the next steps.
Mold Removal in NE
At Pure Maintenance NE, we provide cost-effective, highly efficient alternatives to traditional mold remediation. We offer a safe, demolition-free process that will completely remove mold from your home or office. If you live in Brockton, New Bedford or the surrounding areas in Massachusetts, contact us today so you can get rid of the mold and get back to what’s most important.
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash
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