Mold on your walls makes your house an eyesore and can cause respiratory diseases. Report any mold problems to your landlord for fixing.
Your landlord has 14 days to fix a mold problem reported to them. Federal laws on how long your landlord has to fix mold problems do not exist. However, different states have laws on this issue.
Mold problems as soon as they arise. If not fixed, they will destroy the wall structure and the respiratory health of those who live in the house. Mold problems are not categorized as urgent problems. You need to give your landlord sufficient time to fix them after you report.
Tips On How To Report A Mold Problem To Your Landlord
- Have pictures of the mold on the walls or wherever it is in your house.
- Contact your landlord or property management representative. Inform them of the mold problem in your home.
- Send the photos to the landlord or their representative as evidence.
- Allow your landlord 14 days to fix the mold problem after you have reported it.
Tips For Landlords To Reduce The Cost Of Fixing Mold Problems
- Have your tenants take out renters insurance to take care of repairs and to fix problems such as mold on the walls.
- Regular maintenance of the house. You can know when problems are likely to come about.
- Hire a professional to fix mold and other problems. While pros may be expensive to hire, they have the tools and skills to solve mold and structural issues with finality.
- Have your tenants fix all the problems that they cause.
- Fix any reported problems quickly before they compound. Fixing problems later will be more expensive.
- Get landlord insurance.
- Fix leaking taps, pipes, and faucets immediately.
- Conduct a mold inspection before the entry of a new tenant.
- Install modern HVAC systems.
What To Do If Your Landlord Does Not Fix The Mold Problem In Your House
If you have reported a mold problem to your landlord and they do not fix it after allowing enough time, you can:
- Hire a mold removal expert to fix it.
- Withhold the amount you paid to have it fixed from your rent.
- Provide your landlord with evidence of payment and the mold problem removal.
- Negotiate with the landlord to end the tenancy.
- Refuse to pay rent until the problem is fixed.
- Report to an authority or tribunal that handles tenant and landlord disputes to have the landlord forced to make the necessary repairs.
- Sue the landlord.
Signs Of A Mold Problem In Your Home
- You will spot black patches on the walls, floor, and ceiling.
- Paint peeling off the walls.
- Odd smells from your HVAC system.
- Dampness in your home.
- Occupants of the house get allergies, coughs, and other respiratory diseases.
Causes Of Mold
- Persistent leaking from taps, pipes, and roofs causes mold in many homes.
- Persistent humidity
- Poor or little ventilation.
- Wet clothes in the house.
- Flooding
- A damp basement.
How To Fix Mold Problems
- Fix any water leaks around the home.
- Ensure enough ventilation in the home to remove excess humidity. Warmth, wetness, and humid environments provide the right conditions for mold growth. Without these, you will not have any mold growing in your house.
- Keep wet clothes outside the house.
- You can use homemade solutions such as a bleach mixture. To make this solution, mix ten parts bleach with 1 part water. Spray the mixture on the mold spots, then scrub to get them off the walls and leave them to dry. You can do this for mold infestations that have not spread on a large part of the wall.
Is It The Landlord’s Responsibility To Remediate Mold
Yes, it is.
According to the law, the landlord needs to keep their house livable. Mold problems can make it uninhabitable.
However, it is the tenant’s responsibility to repair the mold problems they cause.
Tenants should ensure that they leave all taps turned off. They should also allow proper ventilation by using fans and opening windows often. Doing these things helps prevent the growth of mold in the house.
Hire A Professional To Fix Mold Problems In Your Home
Depending on the size of your mold problem, homemade solutions may not be effective.
Homegardenguides.com is a free tool that connects homeowners to professional mold remediators.
Here is how to use the tool.
- Enter your location zip code at the top of the tool.
- Fill in the details of your mold problem in the form.
- You will receive three or more quotes from mold remediation professionals near you.
- Contact and hire a mold remediation expert who will provide the service within your budget.
Professionals have the tools and skills to fix a mold problem. They will also offer a warranty to fix at a reduced cost if it reoccurs.
Can Painting Over Mold Solve A Mold Problem
Paint does not kill mold. Painting over mold only hides the mold spots. The mold continues to grow and affects the health of the occupants and the stability of the walls.
Before painting walls, ensure that all mold issues are solved effectively. Apply a layer of primer on the walls before you paint.
Primer ensures a waterproof layer that protects the walls from wetness and humidity.
Paint also creates an additional layer of protection to prevent mold from growing on the walls.
How Much Does Mold Removal Cost
When you hire a professional for mold remediation, you will pay $1,500-$4,000. It costs $10-$25 per foot to remove mold from your home.
How much you pay depends on the spread of mold, the cause of the problem, and the damage caused. The more mold damage on your walls, the more you will pay.
How To Tell If Mold Is Making You Sick
Prolonged allergies or respiratory disease symptoms, rashes, runny nose, and red eyes indicate that you may regularly interact with the cause of the symptoms.