Category Archives: Mold Law

Mold And The Law… What Landlords Should Know

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Can You Smell Mold?

Can You Smell Mold?

If you’re a commercial property owner, liability lawsuits are an unfortunate reality of your business. But slip-and-falls aren’t the only issues you need to be mindful of. Failure to handle Manhattan mold removal in your properties can leave you open to legal action by your tenants.

Dangers of Toxic Mold

Mold species S. chartarum and S. chlorohalonata, commonly known as toxic mold, are more than just aesthetic annoyances. These types of mold emit mycotoxins that pose a number of health risks, ranging from allergic reactions such as sneezing and coughing to infections, asthma attacks and more serious respiratory ailments.

While mold spores are always present in the air, they’re generally harmless. Problems arise when indoor conditions are excessively damp, giving spores the moisture they need to grow and reproduce. High humidity levels, broken pipes and leaky roofs are frequent culprits behind toxic mold development.

How Mold Issues Affect Landlords

Landlords are responsible for maintaining habitable rental properties. If mold is due to physical damage or improper cleaning after a flood, you could be subject to compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of affected tenants.

NYC wants to make it easier for tenants to receive Manhattan mold removal as soon as possible. In addition to contacting their landlords promptly, tenants are urged to report mold-related issues on the city’s official 311 website.

Commercial and Residential Manhattan Mold Removal

Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection and learn more about our proprietary two-step MoldExterm program.

Posted in Mold Law, News

New York City Council Announces New Legislation to Help Housing Authority Residents with Mold

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Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Until now, NYC public housing residents haven’t had effective recourse for Manhattan mold removal. Local officials are trying to change that with new legislation to help residents report cases of mold in their apartments.

Fighting Mold in Public Housing

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has been making headlines recently, and not the good kind. For more than a decade, residents of NYCHA housing have been battling mold-related issues. Much of the problem has been blamed on poor maintenance and failure to adequately repair water damage.

Last January, the NYCHA kicked off a $50 million project to clean and update ventilation systems in their 326 apartment complexes. In addition, the agency has earmarked another $156 million for pipe work to be completed over the next five years.

New York City Council Steps In

In late February, the New York City Council passed legislation in an effort to further assist public housing residents struggling with mold problems. NYC is now required to give tenants information about reporting complaints.

According to City Council member Ritchie Torres, the NYCHA has a dismal history of responding to tenant complaints about mold. The new call center is currently available to residents in more than two dozen developments, with plans to roll it out to all by July 2020.

Need Manhattan Mold Removal? Call Stern Mold

Stern Mold has been providing cost-effective, state-of-the-art Manhattan mold removal since 1995. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection for your home or business.

Posted in Mold Law, News

The Laws That Renters and Landlords Should Know About Mold In New Jersey

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New Laws Have Been Put in Place Concerning Mold

New Laws Have Been Put in Place Concerning Mold

The news is full of stories about homeowners battling mold, but what about renters? One couple’s story illustrates the difficult road for renters seeking Manhattan mold removal.

Mold in Apartments: Who’s Responsible?

Anthony Paredes, his girlfriend and their 17-month-old child moved into a New Jersey apartment in November 2019. Other than a powerful smell of fresh paint, they found nothing amiss.

As time went on, the couple noticed extreme dampness around the apartment. Green mold soon developed on the windows, then Paredes discovered a large mold spot on the wall behind his daughter’s bed.

The next couple of months were a nightmare as Paredes tried to get management to remove the mold, only to be told he and his family were at fault. The family eventually paid out-of-pocket for an independent mold inspector. He confirmed the presence of mold and pointed out structural damage that was the likely cause.

What Can Renters Do?

While building health risks such as asbestos and lead paint are covered by laws, no such protection exists yet for mold. Renters have the options of withholding rent or doing Manhattan mold removal themselves and deducting the costs. Unfortunately, either strategy could ultimately lead to eviction proceedings.

Manhattan Mold Removal for Any Situation

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord or business owner, we can handle your mold problem safely and effectively. Our proprietary MoldExterm program removes mold and keeps it from returning. Contact Stern Mold for a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Law, News

What to Do If You Alert Your Landlord To Mold, and They Do Nothing

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Mold Litigation in 2020 - Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Mold Litigation in 2020 – Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Your apartment needs Manhattan mold removal. After numerous reports to management, no action is taken. Are you forced to suffer in silence? As a paying tenant, you have available options.

Why Is Manhattan Mold Removal Necessary?

Indoor mold and mold spores can cause a number of upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and wheezing. Even people with no previous history of allergies can experience these symptoms after prolonged exposure. Anyone with an underlying respiratory ailment or weakened immune system is particularly vulnerable.

Whether or not you’re presenting with symptoms, mold is a documented health risk. Pulmonologist Sonali Bose, assistant professor at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, ranks mold as a hygenic problem on a par with a cockroach infestation.

When Landlords Fail to Act

Mold is not always visible, causing many landlords to dismiss complaints. But property owners are bound by legal requirements to maintain apartments free of health and safety risks.

Your first course of action should be to write a letter or email to management detailing the problem, including leaky pipes or any conditions that may have caused the mold. Insist on Manhattan mold removal, not a simple paint-over.

If the landlord still doesn’t respond, you could withhold rent, but that strategy carries risks that could impact your ability to rent in the future. Save this as an absolute last resort.

Turn to Stern Mold for Effective Removal and Prevention

Our proprietary MoldExterm program is non-intrusive, cost-effective and eco-friendly. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Law, Mold Tips, News

How to Identify Problem Mold

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Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Mold and mold spores surround us every day. How do you know when a problem requires NYC mold removal? Here’s a look at the signs of an indoor mold situation that needs attention.

Signs of a Mold Infestation

• Visible mold growth is the easiest to identify. Unfortunately, mold thrives in out-of-the-way places, so a mold colony in plain sight often means more is hidden elsewhere.

• Mold has a distinctive musty smell generated by escaping gases known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). While the smell is often associated with basements, it clearly indicates the presence of mold, which should never be considered a normal condition.

• Prolonged exposure to mold frequently triggers allergic reactions in the upper respiratory system. If you have no history of allergies but you begin to experience symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and watery eyes, mold is usually the culprit. Symptoms of mold-related allergies also tend to subside when you’re away from the source.

What About Black Mold?

Much of the concern about mold is centered on stachybotrys, the so-called “black mold.” Stachybotrys emits mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks, especially for children, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems. Many other species of mold are black in appearance, so any infestation should be inspected and evaluated by NYC mold removal experts.

Expert Help for All NYC Mold Removal Needs

Do you suspect the presence of mold in your home or building? Contact us for a free inspection by our friendly and experienced technicians.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Law, News
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