We have recently discovered mold in rental property. Landlord wants to "patch" and "paint" over problem areas... we believe this will only cause more problems in the future. As a tenant, what kind of rights do we have to have the matter taken care of properly?

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Originally Posted by laprildawnl

We have recently discoverd mold in rental property. Landlord wants to "patch" and "paint" over problem areas... we believe this will only cause more problems in the future. As a tenant, what kind of rights do we have to have the matter taken care of properly?

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You can always call the Department of Health - in my area they do not take mold lightly. They will step in, inspect, issues orders.

Hello l:

Well, it's their house not yours. If they want to do shoddy work on their own property, there's nothing you can do. If, in the future, the mold re-appears like you think it might, you can have the landlord fix it again, or you can move or you can complain about them to the health department.

If it were me, and I had a landlord who didn't care about my family's health, I wouldn't try to change him. I'd just move.

excon

Mold is a definite health hazard for anyone occupying a dwelling with it in. I would suggest that you contact the health department regarding this residence. It will probably be deemed unfit for human habitation as patching and painting do not do anything for mold. Mold can only be removed either professionally or by a wrecking ball. There is no in between when it comes to mold. I would prepare to move to another location if this is proving to be a health problem for you or any member of your family. You can have all kinds of swell respiratory problems for years to come the longer you stay in that environment with the mold.

You can pay for a air quality inspection or see if you can force them to have one down by talking to the building inspector for the area.

Often for minor mold, cleaning, spraying and sealing will take care of it, and it will pass air quality standards.

If not, most likely you will have to move out for a couple months, while the house is sealed in plastic, the rooms are sealed and all of the iside material is taken out, Often this is so costly, 10's of thousands of dollars, the landlord will merely leave the house empty and let it go back to the bank.