#2569 - 01/03/08 07:29 PM
black mold in apt
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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I have been living in my apartment for about a year and half now, and the other day a piece of wood near the baseboard near the kitchen sink fell off and lo and behold, I saw a festering outbreak of black mold. I peeled back the wallpaper under the sink and it was there as well. On the other side of the same wall, in my bedroom, the wall is bubbling out, and has been since I have moved in, which leads me to believe that this has been growing inside the wall since before i have moved in, as the first super told me the apt flooded before i moved in. The wall was supposed to be fixed, but never was, and now the only thing they will do is spray windex and repaint. It seems clear to me that wall needs to be replaced, and the management co. will not do anything. Also 3 wks ago there was a leak in a pipe in the boiler room, which is adjacent to my bathroom and the other wall to my bedroom, as my apt is in the basement. this leak persisted for 2 1/2 days before the super got it fixed and by that time the water came through the walls and left an inch of water on my bedroom floor. it was finally fixed and vacummed up, but the walls in my bathroom and bedroom are water damaged, and will probably turn into a breeding ground for mold.
My first question is: is there anyway to find out if this is toxic mold without resorting to a costly test, b/c i am a college student with very little in the way of funds. secondly, what steps can i take to either a. force the apt co. to clean up the apt, b. break the lease early without penalty b/c of the mold, or c. take legal action, as i feel the co. has been negligent and my health has been heading downward since i've been living there (ive had mono 2xs in 2 years and countless respiratory problems, and ive never really gotten that sick until i moved there.
any info anyone could provide would be GREATLY appreciated,
thank you
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#2666 - 01/21/08 06:17 PM
Re: black mold in apt
[Re: Anonymous]
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provip
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/03/01
Posts: 1153
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
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Everything you are saying leads me to believe you have a very problematic apartment. Certainly, the first thing you need to do is stop the water leaks, then put some heavy duty driers in the suite to dry it out venting the apartment while this is being done. If you suspect moisture in the walls which it sounds like, they need to be opened up, generally along the base, to vent and dry them.
As far as your legal standing, it depends on where you live and the laws that apply. I would get in touch with your local or regional health department, they usually take mould problems seriously, especially where children are involved.
Because of your health situation, if it were me, I would seriously consider giving notice. Fighting something like this may not be worth it if you have a landlord who doesn't care. Good luck.
_________________________
Bart Blainey, B.E.R. Consultant/Journeyman Carpenter Building Envelope Specialist Master Renovator provip@prodeck.org http://www.prodeck.orgBarton Blainey (provip) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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