The Health Effects of Mold Exposure

Overview

Experts estimate that approximately 70 percent of homes nationwide have issues with mold. Mold usually develops in damp places where there is a lot of moisture such as around window sills, near sinks, in the walls near plumbing, around air conditioning units and under refrigerators. Any detection of mold in your home should be reported and removed immediately because it can cause serious health issues. The most notorious and commonly found form of mold in the home is black mold, but exposure to any kind of mold is extremely toxic. 

Mold does not only affect individuals who have had direct physical contact with it, but it can also be airborne and unknowingly inhaled. Until a musty smell fills the air many tenants are unaware that they have mold inside their home because it is hidden inside their walls. Once the smell begins tenants often discover that they have been breathing in mold fumes for a long period of time and their health has been impaired because of it.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Some of the most common symptoms of mold exposure include: 

• Respiratory issues 

• Fever and runny nose 

• New rashes or itchiness 

• Irritated eyes 

• Increased Asthma problems for those that had the preexisting condition

What should a tenant do if they find mold in your home?

Landlords must ensure that certain health hazards and other dangerous conditions do not exist on their rental properties. These conditions include the presence of hazardous mold or algae growth. 

If a tenant finds mold in their unit and is unable to move (or they do not want to move) and attempts to live with the uninhabitable conditions, the landlord is responsible for the removal of the mold. If, after being properly notified of the existence of mold, the landlord refuses to make the necessary repairs to render the property habitable, a tenant is permitted to withhold rent until the landlord makes the repairs. 

To successfully demonstrate that withholding rent is justified, proper documentation of the uninhabitable conditions (as well as the attempt to notify the landlord of the condition) is of paramount importance. To properly document unlivable living conditions, the tenant should take photographs of the hazardous conditions, as well as make a note of the time and date of the occurrence of any significant issues that arise and any attempts to contact the landlord to remedy the uninhabitable situation.

We are here to help!

While a tenant may be justified in withholding rent because a rental property is uninhabitable, the landlord does have the right to initiate eviction proceedings when rent is not delivered. For this reason, many tenants seek the advice of a qualified legal team, like the one at Tenants Law Firm, to ensure that they can best defend their rights as tenants. Our attorneys are here to assist you. Contact us by filling out our online intake form here and we will get back to you to schedule a free consultation.