How do you get help with a rental apartment with mold if the staff does nothing?
My husband and I live in an apartment with mold and we can not get the rental company to take care of the issue they avoid all phone calls from us and they enter our place without permission.
First off, do NOT follow the offered advice from Kemperk. That is NOT the law ‘across the United States’. Many states have no legal provisions for ‘repair and deduct’, and my state happens to be one of those. In some states, such repairs will end up being the FULL financial responsibility of the tenant if that advice is followed.
Next, are you certain that you have a harmful type of mold present? Most molds are NOT harmful, even though some are. If you are dealing with simple mildew, perhaps in a bathroom area, that is simply a tenant cleaning/maintenance issue. Water and chlorine bleach eliminates mildew.
Contact your local health department for guidance relative to the mold issue. They will send someone to determine whether or not you have a harmful form of mold, and will guide you further with landlord relations if the mold DOES happen to be one of those nasty types.
renter’s rights: http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/31250834-6A2E-4970-9EDD4DAF221A0C7E/104/138/
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the law is "simple" across the US on maintenance issues.
give the LL a 30 day written notice. NO calls, or whatever, are
necessary.
During that time frame, find a favorite LICENSED CONTRACTOR
who can do the job. After 30 days, if the LL has not remediated,
HIre one of the contractors you previously called.. make sure you are happy with their remediation job. Pay them; do not ask them to send their bill to the LL.
when the next rent payment is due, send the regular rent payment
MINUS the amount of the invoice you paid, plus a copy of the
paid invoice.
Problem legally solved.
happy new year
available to help further
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RE broker
Mold is a very serious issue and if ignored can lead to severe health problems.
1: Take detailed photos of the area in question.
2: Make a written demand that the problem be remedied no later than 30 days from the date of your written demand. Indicate in the written letter that if the management company cannot or will not remedy the problem within 30 days that you will hire a licensed contractor to make the necessary repairs. Provide copies of the photos with your letter.
In the alternative, you may also state in your letter that if the repairs are not made by the management company, you demand the lease to be null and void at the end of those 30 days.
You may also include your knowledge that you are aware that management has entered your premises. Demand that any future requests to enter your rental premises MUST occur in writing from management no earlier that 24 hours prior to entering. Read your lease!
If you choose to hire a contractor, be sure to get at least 3 bids from contractors who specialize in leak detection and remedy. Choose the contractor and when the work is complete pay them. Provide the receipt to the management company with the deduction taken from the following month’s rent.
Whatever option you choose, you must give the landlord the opportunity to remedy the situation prior to taking your own actions. Be sure to mail the letter using "certified" mailing. Certified mailing requires that the recipient sign for the document in front of the mail carrier. You then receive the signed form proving the letter was delivered to the intended recipient.
Be persistant and document everything in a journal and with photos all along the way whomever does the repairs. You need to have a very specific documentation in case any legal action occurs.
Good luck and be persistant—-SCUMLORDS SUCK!
References :
Apartment Community Property Manager, 10+ years-California.
First off, do NOT follow the offered advice from Kemperk. That is NOT the law ‘across the United States’. Many states have no legal provisions for ‘repair and deduct’, and my state happens to be one of those. In some states, such repairs will end up being the FULL financial responsibility of the tenant if that advice is followed.
Next, are you certain that you have a harmful type of mold present? Most molds are NOT harmful, even though some are. If you are dealing with simple mildew, perhaps in a bathroom area, that is simply a tenant cleaning/maintenance issue. Water and chlorine bleach eliminates mildew.
Contact your local health department for guidance relative to the mold issue. They will send someone to determine whether or not you have a harmful form of mold, and will guide you further with landlord relations if the mold DOES happen to be one of those nasty types.
References :
if its toxic mold your living in a state of emergency. any competent lawyer can help you tremendously. get the mold tested asap
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