What can you do about mold growing in your apartment?
We spoke about mold disclosure laws for landlords in California at the beginning of 2021. We touched on health and safety codes, California laws around mold, and what you can do about mold growing in your apartment. Let’s expand on that topic some more and discuss how to get rid of mold growth in your apartment.
Help, I have mold in my apartment!
Getting rid of mold is not always easy—you can’t just call a professional mold remediation company and tackle the problem taken care of on your own. Since you are not the owner of the dwelling, you will have to go through your landlord when you find mold in your apartment.
Mold in a Basement Apartment
You might not even realize that you are living with mold until you develop symptoms. If you live in a basement apartment, the air could seem dry, but it could be infected with mold that’s hidden in the walls, carpets, air vents, window sills, or ceiling tiles.
Mold can grow anywhere that moisture is present for a prolonged period. This means that mold could have grown after previous water damage, before you even moved into your apartment. Now it is hanging around, infecting your air.
Steps to Take after Finding Mold in Your Apartment
Notify Your Landlord of the Mold
California law states that the landlord must be made aware of mold issues before legal action can be taken. As a tenant, you should first notify your landlord of the issue in writing. Date the letter, and hang onto a copy of it. Keep reminding the landlord until the problem is fixed. Here’s a helpful tip: create a physical folder and use it to contain any documents regarding your mold situation.
Consult a Medical Professional If You Notice Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure
Finding black mold in your apartment is extremely serious. The CDC says mold in homes is very common. They go on to say that exposure can lead to wheezing, coughing, worsened asthma, and in some situations a fever or shortness of breath. Mold has a big impact on our respiratory system. If you are experiencing symptoms from black mold exposure, see your doctor right away.
You’ll need to keep a physical record of your medical visit, in case you end up pursuing legal action. Save any documentation, and put it in that folder you made. You can ask for a written assessment from your doctor if you believe your medical symptoms are caused by mold exposure.
Find Different Lodgings if Possible
Mold has serious health impacts and staying in close proximity to mold infestations can cause lasting negative effects. Don’t risk your health and safety! See if you can stay with friends or family, or even in a hotel. If you are forced to be displaced from your home, save the receipts. You can add the cost to the damages you’re seeking when legal action is needed.
Taking Legal Action Against a Landlord for Mold in My Apartment
If your landlord has not resolved the issue in a reasonable amount of time, you are entitled to seek legal compensation. Landlords must provide a space to live that is free of “dampness of habitable rooms” and free of “visible mold growth, as determined by a health officer.” If these requirements have not been met, and you have tried repeatedly to get the mold issue solved by going through the process we outlined above, then it may be time to seek legal help.
Mold in your CA apartment? Ask your landlord to call My Pure Environment!
Keep the mold situation from getting out of hand. Make it easy on your landlord by suggesting a renovation-free solution: My Pure Environment! We offer mold testing, mold inspection, and mold remediation for residential and commercial buildings. The benefits of our dry fog remediation are clear: our work is non-destructive, fast, and super effective. We will get your apartment safe again in a snap.
