Mold can cause serious health implications, ranging from difficulty breathing to liver damage. These types of problems can lead to high medical bills and make it difficult for you to remain gainfully employed. As soon as you notice mold growth in your rental unit, it's important to inform your landlord so he or she can remove the mold as soon as possible. It's important to understand that you may or may not be able to hold your landlord legally responsible for your health problems due to the mold growth. Here's what you need to know.
Who Is Responsible, Your or Your Landlord?
You won't be able to hold your landlord legally responsible if he or she had no idea there was a problem. It's important to inform your landlord immediately, and work with him or her to make improvements. Your landlord will need to figure out what caused the mold to grow, and make repairs or changes regarding that issue. It's important to understand that you could be held partially responsible for the mold growth if you don't take proper care of the property. For example, if you rarely run the ventilation fan in the bathroom when you take long, steamy showers, you may contribute to the mold growth.
What Type of Mold Is It?
If you have mold growing in your rental, have the mold tested by your local health department to see what type of mold it is. Your landlord will likely also have the mold tested. But, it's a good idea to cover your bases, just in case you have to battle your landlord in court. The health department will tell you what type of mold it is and how best to clean it up. Some types of mold are airborne. Mold spores that can go airborne are generally more difficult to get rid of than mold that does not go airborne. Airborne types of mold should only be cleaned by professionals. By knowing what types of mold spores are in your rental unit, you'll be able to tell if your landlord is handling the cleanup appropriately, or not.
Take the results from the mold tests and medical documents to a personal injury lawyer like one from Horlick Levitt Di Lella Personal Injury Lawyers if you've suffered an illness from the mold. Look for a lawyer who specializes in cases involving mold and/or other types of issues that revolve around tenant law for a thorough assessment of your case during the initial consultation.
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