Is it normal for mold to grow in an apartment?

It’s common for mold to grow in households around the world and its growth indicates there is a moisture problem. Not only does mold develop in houses but it also develops in apartments.

How many people are exposed to mold in the US?

At least 45 million buildings in the United Stats have unhealthy levels of mold. (Moldy, 2017) Infants who are exposed to mold in their living environments have nearly a 3X greater risk of becoming asthmatic than those who did not have extensive mold exposure in their first year of life.

What to do if you find mildew in your apartment?

Like mold (pictured), mildew is troublesome and should be immediately removed. Keep your eyes and nose open to signs of mildew in your apartment. In many cases, tackling mold and mildew should be left entirely to the professionals. It’s important that the job is done right the first time, to ensure a proper and safe remediation.

What are the side effects of mold exposure?

There are 2 main effects of mold exposure: the physical airway irritating effects like allergies, cough and fatigue, and the more concerning effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and the brain. CNS symptoms can include brain fog, inability to concentrate, depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, irritability, headache, and confusion.

Do you have to disclose a mold problem to a renter?

A persistent mold problem constitutes a hazardous condition. Federal law doesn’t require you to disclose a problem with mold in the property to potential renters, but some states do, including California and New York. Remember that poorly ventilated bathroom?

When do you need to act on a mold problem?

However, when it’s within your power and budget to improve the situation, you should act, even if renters caused the problem. Mold tends to worsen when left unaddressed, and it’s your property that’s at stake. A persistent mold problem constitutes a hazardous condition.

Can a tenant move out if there is mold in the apartment?

If the landlord can remedy the mold growth in your apartment in a reasonable amount of time, you will continue to be bound by your lease agreement. If you have notified your landlord of mold and he has failed to live up to his responsibilities to clean it up, you likely have grounds to break your lease and move out.

What causes mold to grow in an apartment?

Mold Caused by Tenant Behavior. The liability picture changes when mold grows as the result of your own behavior, such as keeping the apartment tightly shut, creating high humidity, or failing to maintain necessary cleanliness.

What happens if you live in a building with mold?

Across the country, tenants have won multimillion-dollar cases against landlords for significant health problems—such as rashes, chronic fatigue, nausea, cognitive losses, hemorrhaging, and asthma—allegedly caused by exposure to ” toxic molds ” in their building.

When to break your lease to get out of mold?

If the presence of mold affects the livability of the apartment and the health and safety of the tenants, the landlord is in violation of this warranty and the tenant should move out. Breaking your lease should be a last resort, but if your health is at risk it may be necessary.