Community Chat

[LilacTree]

We have been here in our new apartment for ten days now and still not completely settled.

Unfortunately, we have discovered there is an infestation of significant black mold behind the shower walls in both bathrooms. It took about three showers each for us to realize we were standing in pitch black mold which was coming from the bottom of the tub enclosures and running down the sides onto our feet in globs. We had been told by the leasing agent that mold and flooding were not problems here (because I asked).

Apparently, mold has always been a problem here and other than caulking, management has never done anything about it. They have blamed the tenants for not properly cleaning their bathrooms. Obviously they cannot blame us, as we just moved in.

My little daughter cannot be exposed to toxic environments, and my autoimmune issues will not tolerate it either. Management denies it is toxic. There are a lot more details, but I will not bore you with them.

I have told management that if they cannot fix this problem, I will have no alternative but to bring in a third party mold contractor for a second opinion and if necessary, remediation of the mold issue.

They have referred it to ownership. I have not heard back from them. The maintenance man (a very nice, honest young fellow) told us the corporation has never fixed a mold problem here, except for caulking which does not permanently fix the problem, nor does it present the spores from being airborne. He said some people move out, others don't.

I don't think any of us can withstand another move. I will give them a few days to provide me with a solution before I advise them that I will be bringing a third party contractor in.

Any thoughts?

[handygal2]

Wow. Do you know a lawyer who could give you advice?

[Qwackertoo]

Wow. My mold numbers on allergy tests are off the charts. I couldn't live there unless they fixed the problem. No if's and's or but's.

Good Luck, Ford!

[KittyLouSoutenu]

You're going to need energy to either move or fight to get things fixed.

I'm sorry you have to deal with it.

[LilacTree]

On 4/8/2015 handygal said: Wow. Do you know a lawyer who could give you advice?

Yes, but the last thing I want is negativity with the corporation and ownership. I would like to solve this amicably if at all possible. I would rather pay to have it remediated than engage in litigation.

[LilacTree]

On 4/8/2015 KittyLouSoutenu said:

You're going to need energy to either move or fight to get things fixed.

I'm sorry you have to deal with it.

One thing I have always been, Kitty, is a fighter. We will (cannot) live here with mold. This will be fixed, one way or another.

What a letdown.

[handygal2]

I meant to say that perhaps you could get legal advice on how to handle the situation without litigation. I hope you'll be able to.

[luvmyteddy4]

My Lyme doctor had me inspect my home for mold a few years ago because I tested with a high % of mold spores in my body. You do not want this ever. A lot of Lyme patients have mold in their bodies. The medications did not work for me.

I did have mold in my house and had to hire a company to get rid of it. It was not cheap. Your management should pay for this, it is extremely dangerous to Lyme patients and everyone else.

It is too late for me but I would not live there unless they fix the problem.

[occasionalrain]

You may want to contact the EPA for advice. From what you have described, I doubt the mold is confined to the shower area. There won't be an easy or inexpensive fix.

[TaxyLady]

I am sorry to here this. Can you contact the State and have them come down? If you live near our seashore then mold is a problem. It is caused by dampness and is worse in the bathroom if not properly ventilated. Some of it is harmless. Not all mold is bad. When the state came to investigate at my job, they found some bad mold in another building but not bad mold in my office. Good luck to you in fixing this problem.