I am currently in a 12 month lease. my lease is up April 2009. ever since I moved in, my 21 month old daughter has been experienceing pnemonia sympthoms and was diagnoised with bronchitis. after being put on steroids and albuterol, my doctor recommended I check for mold. I found it and lots of it! I told my apartment complex. they stated mold has no health affect on humans. I asked to be moved to another apartment and I was told that was not possible. I have found bugs everywhere, a spider 5 inches big in my daughters room, roaches in my clothes, rats in my cuboards. The resident next to me was allowed to move, because of the same rat in my apartment. after arguing for two months, I was told I could move to another apartment under their terms. I no longer wish to live there. because I am 19, I was treated like a child. I contacted the health department, and I received a letter stating there is visble mold that causes health problems. no one seems to care. I found a new apartment. I was given the option to end my lease as of 12/01/08, but I must pay water and rent even though I will not be there. I apparently do not know my rights as a tendent. I have called several agencies, and many trips have left me hopeless in justice. What should I do? I feel it is unfair to pay for an apartment I wont be in. I intended on staying my whole lease, but considering the circumstanes my hands are tied. I need help. I am a fellow beliver. God is working in my life tremendosly. I just do not have the rescorces to help my self in the way I should. any advice is helpful! I am a full time student and employee. I am also a single mother just trying to make it in an optimistic world where at times seems unfair and injust. Thank you for your time. I just know God will allow someone to read this by mistake and be able to help me beyound measure.

Mold is indeed a unhealthy condition that would create an uninhabitable condition that invalidates your lease.

There was a situation recently on Long Island where a new, very large, apartment complex was found to have faulty installed windows that caused mold. The entire complex had to be vacated.

It sounds like you have documented the issue. You have the health department letter, the pediatrician's diagnosis, the reports of vermin infestation. Did the landlord make any attempts to repair these conditions? Do you have proof of landlord telling you that mold has no health effect on humans?

Anyway, unless the landlord can show they have responded to your complaints by making repairs in a timely manner, they haven't a leg to stand on. You have found a new place, move. Do NOT pay them any more money. Let them sue you. In the unlikely event that they do, you walk into court with your proofs and the judge will laugh them out of court.

Make sure you do a walk through with a third party as witness before you hand over the keys. At least get a signed checklist of any damages. You may have to sue to get your deposit back.

Don't let them intimidate you and keep us posted.

Yes, this is one of those things, you have to just move and see if they do anything, make sure you have lots of photos, the health department statement and more.

Then if they sue, you have evidence to fight it

There are numerous websites and blogs that focus on mold. Katys Exposure is one such. This Way Up in Seattle, National Indoor Mold Society. Mold Help.

Mold is serious stuff. Move out of that place as soon as possible to a new place. Try and wash everything before you move it to the new apartment in hot water or at least wash it period. Everything. Clothes, bed linens, towels, etc. Especially your child's clothing and bed linen. She will take years to get her health back as it is and the longer you keep her exposed to the mold the harder it will be for her to truly get well. I am glad you found another place to live.

Hopefully the mold ridden place's owners won't come after you for money. As Chuck said above, take lots of pictures and document everything just in case they do decide to try and take you to court.