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Found mold in apt. :Need Advice:

ridiculous

Turbo Monkey
Jan 18, 2005
2,907
1
MD / NoVA
Just bought a cheap mold test to be absolutely sure. I have my option of testing air vents, direct sample, or open air. I feel like a damn biology student again. 8 bucks bought me a petri dish and a damn q-tip and a 48 hour wait.
 

BIGHITR

WINNING!
Nov 14, 2007
1,084
0
Maryland, east coast.
I agree with Dante. Call a health board housing inspector. Then tell the people AFTER he comes to your place. Then tell them you want a new place ASAP as you have respiratory conditions that make it impossible for you to stay there. If your leaving and want your money in terms of the deposit for walking out without prior notice, I'm sure extenuating circumstances fall under mold. That's serious. But get the health guy in there first before telling them your plans. If you them your plans, they'll start doing damage control. You don't want them covering up, you want to get them into a position where you have leverage. Catch them with their pants down. Get the health guy first, then give them your demands, and do it professionally and I'd have a witness while you're there talking with them. Hell, I'd walk in with a recorder.
 

ncrider

Turbo Monkey
Aug 15, 2004
1,564
0
Los Angeles
Yup it's mold. Mold is in every house. It's in every new house. It's on almost every piece of lumber that is used to frame a NEW house. Let me repeat, it's in every house. Get the idea.

Should you be freaking out, probably not. Should you get it checked, sure. Should you go ape sh*t on your landlord, no. Why, well you first need to give them the chance to fix the problem. Your mold could be a month old or 5 years old. It certainly looks like it came from those pipes. Also, (to be devils advocate) there's a very good chance there is a clause in your lease holding you responsible for mitigating things that lead to mold and or alerting the landlord to moisture issues. It'd really suck if the landlord flopped this back on you and held you responsible for damages. He just might out of spite if you come flying at him.
 
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AngryMetalsmith

Business is good, thanks for asking
Jun 4, 2006
21,081
9,791
I have no idea where I am
Do what H8R suggests if you want to go the responsible route.

If you want to have some fun with your slumlord, pay the rent by pasting the entire amount in single one dollar bills to the walls.

Really though, in my state a landlord must by law notify the tenant of which financial institution his/her deposit is being held. If he does not, this a pretty good indication that the land lord has no intention of refunding said deposit. Bottom line, put your health first (no one else will), fvck'em on the last months rent and walk away. But if you do that, make sure you have documentation and proof that there was a health risk. Chances are he won't go after you if he has your deposit. Just don't trash the place when you leave.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
Do what H8R suggests if you want to go the responsible route.

If you want to have some fun with your slumlord, pay the rent by pasting the entire amount in single one dollar bills to the walls.

Really though, in my state a landlord must by law notify the tenant of which financial institution his/her deposit is being held. If he does not, this a pretty good indication that the land lord has no intention of refunding said deposit. Bottom line, put your health first (no one else will), fvck'em on the last months rent and walk away. But if you do that, make sure you have documentation and proof that there was a health risk. Chances are he won't go after you if he has your deposit. Just don't trash the place when you leave.
Or do all the right things, (pay the rent on time, document everything, etc) move out, then sue the fvcker for the deposit AND every dime paid in rent while you were there.
 

AngryMetalsmith

Business is good, thanks for asking
Jun 4, 2006
21,081
9,791
I have no idea where I am
Or do all the right things, (pay the rent on time, document everything, etc) move out, then sue the fvcker for the deposit AND every dime paid in rent while you were there.
I agree, your way is the legal way to go about it. However, if you sued him and won a judgement in your favor, it still doesn't mean the land lord would ever pay it. Then you're out court costs and time away from work. Sometimes down and dirty is the quickest way out.
 

Serial Midget

Al Bundy
Jun 25, 2002
13,053
1,896
Fort of Rio Grande
I once dated a girl who lived in a garden level apartment and would never open a window to air the place out because she was afraid bugs would crawl in. She complained about black mold to the health department who found her at fault for running a humidifier 24 hours a day...
 

ridiculous

Turbo Monkey
Jan 18, 2005
2,907
1
MD / NoVA
Yup it's mold. Mold is in every house. It's in every new house. It's on almost every piece of lumber that is used to frame a NEW house. Let me repeat, it's in every house. Get the idea.

Should you be freaking out, probably not. Should you get it checked, sure. Should you go ape sh*t on your landlord, no. Why, well you first need to give them the chance to fix the problem. Your mold could be a month old or 5 years old. It certainly looks like it came from those pipes. Also, (to be devils advocate) there's a very good chance there is a clause in your lease holding you responsible for mitigating things that lead to mold and or alerting the landlord to moisture issues. It'd really suck if the landlord flopped this back on you and held you responsible for damages. He just might out of spite if you come flying at him.
exactly why i was wondering if now is a good time to just buy renters insurance just to protect myself before going forward with this.
 

ridiculous

Turbo Monkey
Jan 18, 2005
2,907
1
MD / NoVA
Why didn't you report the water damage sooner?
I dont ever go in this room and there was a bike box in front of those pipes for the longest time (thought you would have to move that box to change the air filter). Regarding the water damage, I actually called them last fall to inspect my apartment for leaks and mold when my bathroom paint started to peel. As you can see their search was thorough.

Im sure there is a clause in my lease regarding mold. If not a signed addendum specifically addressing mold. I will be reading that in the morning. Im too busy looking up doctors and new places to live now.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
Looking at these pics again, you may want to get a county building inpector in there to look at the whole place.

Maybe it's just me, but unsecured Romex wire coming out of that AC box and draping over a potentially leaky pipe might not comply with local electrical codes.
 

ridiculous

Turbo Monkey
Jan 18, 2005
2,907
1
MD / NoVA
Well I called the Dept of Health for my county and got a hold of Code Enforcement. Of course they said I must notify the complex of the mold before they can do anything. If they refuse to help or they do shoddy work then I can call back and get them to come out.

Results from the HD mold test I did this weekend are in. As if I really needed to do this. They are positive for plague, i mean mold.





This is the growth I got within the petri dish after 72 hours using a sample or visual test method. Basically cotton swab and swipe against the medium.

I spoke with the site manager today. I have some concerns on how this may be handled but he was very prompt to schedule an appointment for a professional to come in and do further testing of the ENTIRE apartment tomorrow morning. I plan to be present for this and take photos documenting as much of his work as I can along the way. I just want to make sure this inspector isnt some guy thats already in the rental company's pocket. Probably a bad idea as I really dont want to be near any of this crap. Ive been spending as much time as possible at the girlfriends house while I take care of all of this.

Any advice here? Am I being to intrusive? Results and photos from tomorrows visit will go out in a letter either Tuesday or Wednesday registered mail to the rental office.
 

dan-o

Turbo Monkey
Jun 30, 2004
6,499
2,805
Hire an independent inspector before the building's guy comes. You'll need to pay out of pocket but you'd have independent verification.
 

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,800
8,383
Nowhere Man!
Tell me you didn't buy a kit to determine if this was mold? What else was it gonna be? Potting soil magically splattered on the walls?

There has to be a lab where you're sending these to get them ID'd, right?
Like who here hasn't eaten bread moldier then that...
 

ridiculous

Turbo Monkey
Jan 18, 2005
2,907
1
MD / NoVA
Tell me you didn't buy a kit to determine if this was mold? What else was it gonna be? Potting soil magically splattered on the walls?

There has to be a lab where you're sending these to get them ID'd, right?
Yes. For $40 I can now send this sample into a lab to be identified.
 

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,669
1,713
chez moi
Get the mold drunk and make a move on it. You'll either get some, or it'll get creeped out and move somewhere else. Win/win.
 

ridiculous

Turbo Monkey
Jan 18, 2005
2,907
1
MD / NoVA
Get the mold drunk and make a move on it. You'll either get some, or it'll get creeped out and move somewhere else. Win/win.
What a waste of alcohol. I know this mold has and std.




Manager came in and took a look as well as some photos at my apt today. He's completely speechless. Total poker face from him the entire time, hopefully he'll actually say something to me when the mold inspector comes. Unfortunately these assholes work like the cable companies. "We'll be there between 9-1pm"
 

ridiculous

Turbo Monkey
Jan 18, 2005
2,907
1
MD / NoVA
Wow what a complete waste of my time. The inspector claims there are no elevated levels of moisture within the apartment and that "the levels of mold detected are the normal amount humans are supposed to breathe." WTF. There is a normal amount?
The guy is writing up a report and going to send it to the rental office for reference. None of his results or findings could be discussed in front of me. The manager and the inspector went outside to discuss immediately after the test were done.

They are going to spray some chemicals on the mold spores themselves and clean my ventilation system out since I am concerned. I guess that will make this place safe enough for enough time for me to move out.
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,573
24,191
media blackout
Wow what a complete waste of my time. The inspector claims there are no elevated levels of moisture within the apartment and that "the levels of mold detected are the normal amount humans are supposed to breathe." WTF. There is a normal amount?
The guy is writing up a report and going to send it to the rental office for reference. None of his results or findings could be discussed in front of me. The manager and the inspector went outside to discuss immediately after the test were done.

They are going to spray some chemicals on the mold spores themselves and clean my ventilation system out since I am concerned. I guess that will make this place safe enough for enough time for me to move out.
i would recommend this:

Yes. For $40 I can now send this sample into a lab to be identified.
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,573
24,191
media blackout
also, do NOT LOSE THOSE TEST SAMPLES. If the landlord doesn't know you took samples, keep it that way. Get them tested. If in fact, the "inspector" falsified the reports, was one of the shady kind you mentioned that is in cahoots with the property manager, these samples are your only evidence.
 

drkenan

anti-dentite
Oct 1, 2006
3,441
1
west asheville
I own 2 commercial properties that I lease - my non-aggressive advice is this:

Call the rental office and very calmly/politely/professionally set up a meeting with the property manager (or at least someone in charge). Very kindly explain that you have been a great tenant (unless you haven't) but have been experiencing respiratory problems as of recent.

Let them know that you understand that mold happens and that they didn't do anything wrong since it was within the maximum limit (or whatever bs they told you), however you are just more sensitive to it than most people. Then very kindly/professionally just straight out ask if you can break your lease with no penalty or if you can move to a different unit/property.

If you develop a good rapport with the property manager and put it in those terms, they would be silly not to let you off the hook. Only after that fails would I send the mold sample off and contact an attorney. But in the end you would only lose your security deposit. Remember you have the upper hand here, not them.
 

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
19,180
17
TN
Personally,

I think the likelihood that this mold is even causing your respiratory issues is pretty low.
 

ridiculous

Turbo Monkey
Jan 18, 2005
2,907
1
MD / NoVA
I own 2 commercial properties that I lease - my non-aggressive advice is this:

Call the rental office and very calmly/politely/professionally set up a meeting with the property manager (or at least someone in charge). Very kindly explain that you have been a great tenant (unless you haven't) but have been experiencing respiratory problems as of recent.

Let them know that you understand that mold happens and that they didn't do anything wrong since it was within the maximum limit (or whatever bs they told you), however you are just more sensitive to it than most people. Then very kindly/professionally just straight out ask if you can break your lease with no penalty or if you can move to a different unit/property.

If you develop a good rapport with the property manager and put it in those terms, they would be silly not to let you off the hook. Only after that fails would I send the mold sample off and contact an attorney. But in the end you would only lose your security deposit. Remember you have the upper hand here, not them.

I am about here now. Today after the inspector left I thanked the manager for his timely response and told him I understand these things happen and he of course cant do anything without knowing. He promptly scheduled the cleaning with chemicals and will be cleaning the ventilation system either today or tomorrow. So response time is great. I am going month to month on this lease so its more so a matter of getting out of this place safely at this point. I will be leaving. The question now is whether or not im leaving with toxic stuff in my lungs. Dr. appt with the lung expert is next.

Personally,

I think the likelihood that this mold is even causing your respiratory issues is pretty low.
I would like to agree with you, but for me the air is noticeably harsher when the AC unit is on or I go in that closet. I also know my asthma and respiratory system pretty well. 2 asthma attacks, bronchitis and pneumonia all within 12 months out of the blue, my last cold was a month ago, the sore throat and body ache symptoms lasted about 2 days, but the coughing stayed with me for about 3 weeks. FWIW my last asthma attack was about 20 years ago. Even with years of DH racing and pollen seasons behind me.

Again im not trying to be a dick here. I understand I need to leave and so I am. I was just being responsible and covering my own ass. All I care about is leaving with healthy lungs. If a Dr. clears me ,this issue shouldnt have to be escalated any further than this. However, if he doesn't...