Black Mold

Anna D asked:


I moved into my apartment last weekend and have since discovered some water damage around the doors and windows and a really yucky black mold growing behind a lot of the molding. I know for a fact that almost the entire place was under water about three years ago but they have since remodeled completely. They claim that the water damage is from an irresponsible niece who left the doors open in the middle of rain storms.

Anyway, since moving in I have been having really bad asthma attacks daily, having to use an inhaler probably 2-3 times a day. I haven’t had to use my inhaler in YEARS! I wheeze almost continually throughout the night. I have contacted the landlord about this but they haven’t done anything yet.

What are my legal rights here? What can I do?

Black Mold

Jeremy Gayken asked:


Greetings Yahoo Answers community, my name is Jeremy and I just moved into a rental home with my family. Everything looked fine until we started hearing of the previous owners and their black mold problems. My mother asked the owner of the property if there was mold and he replied “No, that was at another address.” So she signed the lease and now we have the house for a year.

The next day I asked the neighbor lady about the mold and she told us the previous family got sick and had to move out. Now it turns out the owner of the property knew of the danger to our health but decided to lie about the mold and get us moved in anyway. My question is… can I take him to court? This seems like such an injustice, selling a black mold infested house to a family which is known to be very toxic and very hard to remove. The neighbors said they have documents of the illness and even some pictures. I also took many pictures when I moved in of visible mold that appeared to be hidden by paint. Any advice would be appreciated immensely.

~Jeremy

P.S. If I left anything out that may lead to heightened advice please let me know.

Black Mold

Hot Surfer asked:


The whole apartment stinks!!! We have moved out of the area but are still paying rent there. All of the Maintenance people said that they can’t smell it but, we believe they are playing games with us. A 3rd Party Company came out and said it was “Not a Toxic Level” but, we have asthma and allergies and it really messes us up. I have washed all of the other stuff but, I am ready just to sell the couches and mattress and call it done. What do you think is the best solution at this point?? Are there any laws regarding this issue?? Is it worth getting a lawyer involved.

Black Mold

fblecku asked:


I just filed a claim for Short Term Disability benefits with my employer due to a condition that was caused by exposure to toxic mold. While I am waiting for approval from the insurance company handling my Short Term claim can I continue to put in some hours with my part-time work-at-home job to keep money coming in while I wait for this to be approved? And if so, would I be able to do the PT job while I am receiving Short Term benefits? My condition does not allow me to go to work but it does not hinder me from putting in 3 or 4 hours a day while I am home recovering. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
This would not be through the IRS or the US government. The benefits, if approved, would be through a third party insurer.
Also, my job does not afford me the ability to bring my work home…believe I would if I could. See my condition leads me to have unpredictable dizzy spells and I need to be able to get to a bed, sofa, etc… when needed.

Black Mold

SweetAdeline asked:


I live by myself in an apartment w/ negligent landlords. Noticed a few weeks ago black mold growing on ceiling of my bathroom. It seems that upstairs tenant may have had problems w/ his toilet because the spot w/ the mold is slightly warped from wetness, and located where his toilet would be. I have called landlords twice, left messages on their machine, four days apart. They haven’t gotten back to me. I plan on sending a certified letter to them so I have proof they received it.
With 4months of my lease remaining, I worry that they will not let me out of it & I will have to pay the remaining months. Do they have to let me out of the agreement by law because it is unsafe? I have no options, no place to go when they eventually come to clean it. Should I require landlords put me up in a hotel?
What shall I do in the meantime? How much of a risk does this pose? Ive been getting headaches at night but am unsure if they are related. Should I remove all my belongings from the bathroom and keep the door closed?
How can I tell if it’s affected anything else in my apartment; if the spores can travel and spread. Do I need to get rid of anything in my apartment?

Some of the people ive spoken to dont think its a real threat, but it doesnt sit well with me.

Black Mold