Landlord possibly has mold-what are the recourse for tenant?

Question

I have a daughter who is renting a basement from a home owner who lives up stairs of the house. Recently my daughter notice water coming into the basement door from the rain. She notified the landlord and told her later in the week that she notice a smell of mold. The landlord told her she would put a fan in the basement to dry up the carpet and if she needs to replace the carpet for mold she would have to raise the rent. What recourse does the tenant have in this case. Has anyone had this issue before as a tenant or landlord?

Thanks in advance,

Tracy

Strive Technologies

Thanks in advance,

Tracy

Strive Technologies

Thomas S. · Answer

She does not have to find a replacement simply assist the landlord in regards to keeping the place neat and tidy and allowing the showings as necessary.

It is not about a "way out" it is about being a responsible individual.

I would advise she not rent a basement apartment again.

Ray Harrell · Answer

Listen, there is a difference between mildew (the smell of stagnant water) and mold (a dangerous, pathogenic spore). If there is actual mold, the tenant can contact the health department and the county and have the mold remedied immediately, or have the property condemned.

The landlord CANNOT raise the rent for the cost of abating a health issue.

Matthew Paul · Answer

" The smell of mold " Is very subjective . Its a basement apartment , they can be damp , they can have lack of air movement . Not much to do unless mold can be found .

Thomas S. · Answer

Correct she needs to move out.

What she is smelling is simply a musty damp basement smell not likely mold so realistically she is not best suited to live in a basement. It will likely occur each time it rains.

The landlord offered fans to dry the space and it most likely would have resolved the immediate problem. If she could talk the landlord into providing a dehumidifier, or provide one of her own, the problem would likely disappear.

That is the life of a cellar dweller.

Tracy D. Garrett-Numa · Answer

No one is looking for a way out, she is a responsible person. My point is the landlord is not trying to hold up to being a responsible landlord who is willing to fix a potential health problem. I was trying to see what her recourse is but i think it is just to move out and hope the landlord does not try to hold he to the lease agreement. It is about saving her health and she may not find a person before she gets sick. Thanks for your input on this.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Basement apartments are going to typically have some level of mold that can not be entirely removed. If it is an issue, then she should move, and preferably to an above grade apartment.

Tracy D. Garrett-Numa · Answer

Not sure why she would have to find a replacement. I think she has a way out if the landlord told her "if you are uncomfortable then you can move". Give notice yes but she has basically told her to leave if she is not comfortable with her not fixing the problem.. right?

Thomas S. · Answer

Her best recourse is to give notice and move. Work with the landlord and hopefully help find a replacement tenant.

Landlord possibly has mold-what are the recourse for tenant?

Landlord possibly has mold-what are the recourse for tenant?

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