Mold in rental house?

by **muata2** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:03 am

If I've found mold in my rental, can I legally break my lease? I live in Virginia in case the law varies state-to-state.

by **garbhach65** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:10 am

Contact the Landlord immediately. He is responsible for making sure that the mold is taken care of...BUT...depending on what type of mold it is...it may not be able to be eradicated. He is also going to have to work with you on either diminishing or lowering your rent so that you can stay else where while the cleaning up process is taking place. If he doesn't want to do this then you can contact the Housing Authorities and they can help you get out of your lease.
You cannot just "break" your lease because of mold unless he agrees. You need to have "back up" like the housing authorities because you will probably wind up in court and these things can get expensive. (I was a Landlord in VA, lived there for many years). If he is a decent Landlord he will go out of his way to make sure the situation is either taken care of or will release you from your lease once the tests come back positive on the mold.
Peace, Love & Happiness

by **regenweald** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:13 am

Contact the Landlord immediately. He is responsible for making sure that the mold is taken care of...BUT...depending on what type of mold it is...it may not be able to be eradicated. He is also going to have to work with you on either diminishing or lowering your rent so that you can stay else where while the cleaning up process is taking place. If he doesn't want to do this then you can contact the Housing Authorities and they can help you get out of your lease.
You cannot just "break" your lease because of mold unless he agrees. You need to have "back up" like the housing authorities because you will probably wind up in court and these things can get expensive. (I was a Landlord in VA, lived there for many years). If he is a decent Landlord he will go out of his way to make sure the situation is either taken care of or will release you from your lease once the tests come back positive on the mold.
Peace, Love & Happiness

Depends on what sort of mold is present. If it's plain mildew, it's not harmful and is expected to be cleaned up by the tenant, since it is an interior maintenance issue. If the mold is one of the FEW types of harmful mold, you must give the landlord time to remediate the situation according to proper procedure. Don't guess that this mold is of the harmful type without testing from your health department. 98% of molds are quite harmless, occurring generaly throughout nature.

Harmful black mold is scientifically named Stachybotrys Chartarum. If that is the type of mold a test reveals, you have the right to demand that the landlord mitigate. You can only terminate your lease if he refuses to comply.

by **lintun** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:25 am

Is it toxic mold, or just mold? Very few types are actually toxic, and possible lease breaking potential. You can call the board of health and have it investigated, but if it is harmful, the building may be condemned, and you'd be out of a place to live immediately,

by **tripp** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:41 am

Is it toxic mold, or just mold? Very few types are actually toxic, and possible lease breaking potential. You can call the board of health and have it investigated, but if it is harmful, the building may be condemned, and you'd be out of a place to live immediately,

do you want to move? this may be something can can be fixed by talking with your landlord..be sure you are not leaving damp clothes or towels around

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