Monthly Archives: January 2017

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

The Cost of Litigation of Untreated Mold Problems

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Worried About a Possible Mold Issue? Think About the Kids.

Worried About a Possible Mold Issue? Think About the Kids.

What is the price of your family’s health? As organizations such as the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to warn about mold and fungus as serious causes of illness, courts are becoming more likely to award monetary damages.

Failure to address moisture and mold problems can result in serious liability for property owners. Here are two cases where landlords and home owners were held responsible for significant damages caused by lack of mold treatment.

Former NBA Coach Cited for “Technical Foul”

After former NBA player and coach Rudy Tomjanovich and his wife sold their Pacific Palisades home, the purchaser sued over lack of disclosure concerning water leaks accompanied by mold and fungus. The couple claimed that there had been only one leak that was promptly repaired, and they blamed the non-disclosure on their attorneys.

The Tomjanovichs were ordered to pay more than $3 million in compensatory and punitive damages. This case underscores the fact that water damage and remediation efforts must always be disclosed in property transactions.

Renter Beware

An Oregon radiologist rented a home which developed a water leak in a stairwell. The tenant promptly reported the issue to the property management company, but they took no action. When an indoor air quality expert discovered numerous defects that caused allergic symptoms, the renter sued and received an award of $103,000.

Efficient Mold and Fungus Remediation in NYC and Northern NJ

If you suspect mold and fungus in your home or business, our Stern Mold technicians can perform eco-friendly and non-invasive remediation using our MoldExterm process. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Law
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