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NYC Gives Filing Help to Tenants Who Find Mold

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Don't Put Yourself at Risk, Get the Solutions You Deserve!

Don’t Put Yourself at Risk, Get the Solutions You Deserve!

Are you a tenant who is feeling helpless because your landlord refuses to provide necessary mold treatment? Officials in NYC have developed a valuable resource that provides recourse when your living situation becomes a health risk.

“Safe and Sanitary” Housing

NYC law states that landlords must maintain rental units in “safe and sanitary condition” and complete repairs “in a timely manner.” The language is broad enough to include issues such as mold infestations that present a danger to your health.

How Do You Assert Your Rights?

• You have the responsibility to contact your landlord first with any request for repairs or maintenance. Document all communication in writing, either hard copy or email, so you have a trail of evidence to support your claim.

• If your landlord fails to respond, you may file a complaint with the City. You also have the option of seeking help from the Housing Court.

• Any complaints involving apartments must include your contact information. If you’re reporting a situation that affects the entire building, contact information is still required but the complaint may be listed as anonymous in the public record.

• More help is available on the NYC website. You will find a copy of the City’s 311 privacy policy as well as information on Housing Court and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities.

Effective and Eco-Friendly Mold Treatment in NYC

Traditional mold remediation is difficult, messy and expensive. In addition, there’s a good chance that mold will reoccur. Our proprietary MoldExterm system is quick and non-intrusive, and it includes a patented polymer sealer that repels future mold infestations. Visit our website for more information and schedule your free mold inspection.

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

What NYC Property Managers Need to Know About Mold

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Know Your Choices on How to Deal With Mold

Know Your Choices on How to Deal With Mold

If you’re a property manager in New York City, mold and fungus are probably issues you’ve dealt with before. There’s no doubt that you understand how serious this problem is, but there’s a lot about mold and fungus that you might not know. Having the right knowledge will help you determine your approach to mold problems as they arise in your properties.

What is Mold?

Mold refers to any indoor multi-cellular fungal growth that can lead to a host of medical issues. Some of these issues include pulmonary disorders, respiratory problems, neurological disorders, or other illnesses. There are a number of mold types that can fall under this definition.

NYC Property Managers: Mold Treatment

A new law went into effect last year, which requires that certain conditions be met before someone can be considered as a contractor capable of diagnosing and treating mold. These individuals must meet three different standards of excellence, which include:

• Having the proper level of training

• Obtaining and maintaining the right licensing

• Meeting minimal work standards

Your Options for Treating Mold and Fungus

Obviously, this new law might change who you choose to contract with for mold treatment services, and rightly so. Every effort is being made to protect the tenants in your properties, as well as to protect you as a property manager. If you have a mold problem, it’s very important to be certain that it’s treated properly and efficiently.

Stern Mold offers mold treatment services, and we meet all of the requirements under the new law. If you have a mold problem, and you’d like a free inspection, we’d love to help you. Contact us.

Posted in Mold Law, Mold Treatment

Tips on Filing a Mold Complaint with Your Property Manager

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Keep an Eye Out (and Nose Even) for Mold!

Keep an Eye Out (and Nose Even) for Mold!

When living in a rental unit, virtually any type of issue with the unit’s structure must be called to attention by way of your property manager. That also includes a mold infestation, which may or may not be directly related to personal property in your household.

Here are some tips on filing a mold complaint:

• Notification — Notify your property manager of mold. Orally notifying them is good, but always take it one step further by writing a letter and making a duplicate, then putting it in the property managers mailbox. Make sure it’s dated, too.

• Pictures — Take pictures of the mold problem; you can even use your cell phone if it has a camera. Make sure you get several angles, and offload the pictures to a computer. If needed for evidence, you’ll know where to find them and they won’t be inadvertently deleted from your phone.

• File a Written Complaint — If the property manager or owner of the building won’t act quickly for mold treatment, you can file a written complaint with the housing department in your city, town or jurisdiction. Check online or go down to City Hall and ask questions about filing a legal complaint.

In most situations your property manager will be willing to help cure any mold problem that you may find. It’s in their best interest to take care of the problem as quickly and effectively as possible, to prevent health issues or legal actions from affecting their bottom line.

If you have questions about mold treatment in your rental, please contact Stern Mold. We will work with you and your property manager to rid your home of mold.

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

Tenant Rights of Habitability – You Can’t Live With Mold

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Everyone Deserves a Happy Home, Free of Mold.

Everyone Deserves a Happy Home, Free of Mold.

You’re a tenant who has discovered mold and fungus in your rented home or apartment, but so far your landlord has not adequately dealt with the problem. Do you have any recourse other than moving out?

Is Your Home or Apartment Uninhabitable?

In the state of New York, there is an implied “Warranty of Habitability” in every residential lease that requires the property to be “fit for human habitation.” This warranty outlines a landlord’s responsibilities and your rights as a tenant.

Based on the warranty, the condition of a rental property must not pose a risk to a tenant’s “life, health or safety.” It’s illegal for a landlord to waive this warranty, and such a waiver would be unenforceable even if it’s in the lease.

The standard of compliance is whether or not a “reasonable person” would believe they were being deprived of the intended use of the property. Breaches must involve a lack of maintenance on the landlord’s part and do not apply in the case of tenant misconduct.

What’s the Next Step?

If you believe your right of habitability is being violated, it’s imperative that you notify your landlord in writing and provide a reasonable opportunity for the problem to resolved. Be sure to consult an attorney who can fully explain your rights and responsibilities in this situation.

Stern Mold Provides Quick and Effective Mold Removal and Prevention

If you discover a mold and fungus problem in your building, our proprietary MoldExterm system is more thorough and less invasive than traditional remediation. Contact us today to schedule your free mold inspection by one of our friendly and professional technicians.

Posted in Mold Treatment, MoldExterm

NYC Housing Has Mold Problems – What to Know

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NYC Is a Hub for Everything - Including Mold.

NYC Is a Hub for Everything – Including Mold.

Hurricane Sandy dumped a lot of rain in NYC and did a lot of structural damage as well. What most people don’t realize is that all of that water caused dampness and humidity inside apartment buildings that would otherwise have remained dry.

This influx of moisture caused mold complaints to skyrocket in New York city’s public housing, and of 280 residents surveyed in the Red Hook public housing units, over 90% have experienced mold and water leaks where none existed before.

Red Hook Houses

The Red Hook Houses in Brooklyn were some of the worst hit by Hurricane Sandy, and since then they have been dealing with some of the worst mold issues. Around 40% are currently dealing with mold issues, some as a direct result of Sandy, and that was back in 2012.

What’s Being Done

Unfortunately, not much. The problem is so widespread and overwhelming, that it may take a long time to take care of the problem. Mold that was caused by Hurricane Sandy is covered by 438 million dollars in government funding, and generally gets resolved quickly, but mold that was present before the storm is a different matter.

Cost Estimate

The Red Hook Initiative, or RHI, is attempting to gain public and private funding for the repairs and mold treatments that are needed, and until such time as budgets, costs and plans are formulated, the Red Hook Houses will be in a holding pattern.

For questions about mold treatment in your rental or public housing, please contact Stern Mold. We are the experts at mold remediation, and will provide you with a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment
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