Mold? - Landlord Forum thread 327573

Mold? by Anonymous on November 18, 2014 @18:35

We had new tenants move in 3 weeks ago. Last night I received an email stating that the family had been suffering from respiratory distress, sinus congestion, labored breathing, irritated eyes etc since moving in. They are claiming that there is a mold problem in the house. My own family lived in this house for many years prior to renting it out and never had any of these issues. Prior tenants have never complained of these issues. There was some minor water damage to the basement several years ago, but everything was dried out and seemingly returned to normal. The only area where the damage is visible is in an unfinished storage room in the basement where there is some permanent discoloration from the water. We are going over to investigate, but my questions are these:
1) If there was mold from damage many years ago but no signs of water or dampness currently, could they still be suffering from years old dead mold hiding in walls?
2) If there is mold and I have to do any kind of major cleanup, can I terminate the lease until I can afford to do so?
3) If the problem is minor and can be cleaned up with bleach solution, Can they still claim that the house is causing them health issues and that it is uninhabitable?

I would be more than happy to let them out of their lease...I don't want an unhappy tenant, but if they want to stay, am I required to tear the place apart looking for mold that may or may not even be present?? I'm new to this so any guidance would be hugely appreciated.

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Re: Mold? by Bill on November 18, 2014 @18:59	[ Reply ]

This is the song that tenants sing when they want out of the lease. Evidently they have looked around and found somewhere they would rather live. Tell your tenants that they should leave immediately. Give them a deadline and urge them to get moving. Explain that you need the house empty in order to go over. Whatever happens, do not give them any moving money or rent credit.

Re: Mold? by Katiekate (New York) on November 18, 2014 @19:17	[ Reply ]

The only kind of mold that is dangerous and requires the landlord to take action is. Black mold. Now..I know whatever they think they are seeing looks black..but..it isn't. It is green mold. How do I know? Black mold will not grow wherever there is any UV light. Black mold spores need total darkness. So, unless your tenant tearing out walls and floors...they are never going t have any possible contact with it. But..yeah, some people have allergies to mold. Even green mold. Some people are allergic to goldenrod and ragweed. But..the landlord is not required to clear all of that out of the air the tenant might breathe. Neither are you required to take care of their allergies to dust. But..since I believe in keeping harmony in the units...I would offer these tenants the Happy Clause. Just as Bill says...offer them to move immediately. Only because they are unhappy...no other reason. And certainly no rent reduction or money to move.

Re: Mold? by Katiekate (New York) on November 18, 2014 @19:23	[ Reply ]

One last thing. If your tenant is so sure....let them file report with the local board of health for mold. This is a good learning process for the tenant....because the board of health will not even accept such a report. They know it is a waste of their time. How do they know? Because they know that black mold will not grow where a tenant will have contact with it. If you feel there might be black mold in the walls.... After the tenant is gone...get protective gear and tear open the wall that was repaired long ago....get a look see, but protect yourself just in case you find it. Because the only people in any health danger is the ones who open and work on that wall if it is harboring black mold

Re: Mold? by Anonymous on November 18, 2014 @22:43	[ Reply ]

now is the time to hire the best attorney in the USA. one of my friends LL had to give her SFH to the tenant because the tenant said he was sick from her SFH over the mold in the SFH. you need to get ready RIGHT NOW........

Re: Mold? by Anonymous on November 19, 2014 @12:16	[ Reply ]

http://www.thelpa.com/free/moldguide.pdf

Re: Mold? by Anonymous on November 19, 2014 @13:41	[ Reply ]

my rental was full of mold after the T only used the washer but not the dryer in the house. I had to pay the T of $199,907 by the court order. I filed my bankruptcy already, and T is trying to get my rental now.

Bull

Re: Mold?