Tag Archives: Landlords and Mold

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

Here’s What Landlords Need To Know About Mold In Rental Apartments

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How to Combat Mold in an Apartment Complex

How to Combat Mold in an Apartment Complex

There are currently no federal or local laws regulating a landlord’s responsibilities regarding Manhattan mold removal in their buildings, but a mold infestation can still result in a number of figurative and literal headaches. Follow these guidelines to mitigate issues with mold in rental properties.

What Are Tenants’ Rights?

Despite the lack of specific language addressing mold problems, landlords are bound by the legal doctrine known as “implied warranty of habitability.” Simply put, a landlord must maintain rental units in livable condition.

If tenants are faced with mold infestations, they have recourse with two self-help methods recognized by New York courts:

• Rent withholding allows tenants to stop paying rent on the basis of unlivable conditions.

• Repair and deduct is when tenants seek Manhattan mold removal on their own and subtract the costs from their rent payment.

Legal and Financial Consequences

In an effort to make it easier for tenants to report mold problems, New York City offers an online complaint form through its 311 non-emergency services program. All complaints generate a service request number for use in tracking progress.

A landlord may be liable for damages if a court finds that a mold problem was due to negligence. Conversely, if a problem was caused by a tenant’s neglect, clean-up costs may be deducted from their security deposit.

Manhattan Mold Removal for Commercial Properties

Don’t face mold problems on your own. We offer free mold inspections by our trained and knowledgeable technicians. Contact Stern Mold to learn more.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment, News