Can mold in apartment make you sick?

In some cases, mold in your home can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Whether or not you’re allergic to molds, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. Here’s what you can do to combat mold problems, and take care of yourself and your home.

When should you see a doctor for mold exposure?

When to Go to The Emergency Room Have significant trouble breathing. Have an asthma attack that doesn’t respond to your usual medication or seems worse than usual. Have a very high fever. Cough up blood or experience a bloody, frothy discharge from the nose or mouth.

What should I do if I find mold in my apartment?

If you’ve found mold in your rental house or apartment, your landlord should remove the mold and correct the problem that led to the growth of mold in the first place. For instance, if there is mold on your ceiling due to a leaky roof, your landlord should repair the roof as well as removing the mold from the ceiling.

How does mold spread from one apartment to another?

Unlike houses, apartments are not usually self-contained living environments. Apartments exist as interconnected units with common ventilation and plumbing systems. As a result, if one apartment has a mold and mildew problem, it can easily spread to other apartments through the air in HVAC systems. Mold can spread from one apartment to another

Can a landlord charge a tenant for mold removal?

However, even if tenants are responsible for the cost of mold removal, landlords may be required by law to have the work done in order to make the apartment habitable. Landlords can then charge tenants for the work. You should consult an attorney if you need legal advice about a specific situation.

Who is responsible for mold in rental properties?

Mold Caused by a Landlord’s Failure to Fix Leaks. Landlords in all states but Arkansas are responsible for maintaining fit and habitable housing and repairing rental property, and this extends to fixing leaking pipes, windows, and roofs—the causes of most mold.

What to do if you find mold in your apartment?

If mold is found in your apartment, you should first report the problem to your landlord. Keep careful documentation of all correspondence. You may find a small amount of mold and decide to clean it up yourself. There are potentially serious risks in removing the mold yourself.

How do I detect mold in an apartment?

If you suspect your apartment has a mold problem, check these and other places in your home that are in shade and allow little air movement . Other signs of mold include a wet, musty odor and water damage or water stains.

What to do with apartment mold?

What to do if you find mold in your apartment? Tell your landlord. If you have suspicions that there is mold in your apartment, or if you’ve found and it’s blatantly obvious, don’t wait to tell you landlord. Take photos. Take photos of the mold prior to removing the mold. See a doctor. You might think you’re having allergies. Run tests.

What causes mold in apartments?

We’ve compiled a list of the top causes of mold infestation in apartment buildings: Defective Kitchen Appliances. Defective kitchen appliances are one of the most common causes of mold in apartment buildings. Burst Pipes & Defective Plumbing. Pipe breaks are an apartment building’s nightmare. Basement Laundry Areas. HVAC Systems. Steam Pipes. Terrace Drains. Pointing & Building Exteriors. Flat Roofs & Silos.