Tag Archives: Mold Extermination

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

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.

EPA Releases Homeowner’s Guide to Mold

The EPA Knows Mold!

The EPA Knows Mold!

Mold. No one likes it and no one wants to have it in their home or business. It not only damages drywall and other materials, mold also poses a health hazard resulting in upper respiratory inflammation that can lead to chronic symptoms.

There are over 100,000 species of mold and 200,000 species of fungus. Each has its own properties and reactions to the environment and the weather. Regardless of which species is affecting your property, the MoldExterm System, available from Stern Mold, can remove the problem with an affordable treatment – usually in one day.

MoldExterm is a bio remedial treatment process that goes beyond traditional remediation treatments that require removing the affected materials. The MoldExterm treatment process has two parts. First, the infested area is treated with a solution that kills fungi, viruses, and bacteria leaving the area disinfected.

The second part of the mold treatment eliminates mold from reoccurring via a polymer sealer applied to the affected surfaces, which serves as a barrier to prevent an area from becoming infested again in the future.

With MoldExterm, unlike regular remediation, there’s no need to tear out original building materials to remove the mold-infested areas. This can result in significant savings to property owners especially those with large areas containing moldy material.

Along with the mold treatment process from Stern Mold, a professional-grade dehumidifier is also installed to help control moisture within the property.

The patent-pending MoldExterm treatment process comes with a warranty that guarantees mold-free results and customer satisfaction.

When mold makes an appearance, it’s time to call in the mold specialists at Stern Mold. Contact us to schedule a free inspection and price quote.

Mold Outbreak Death Lawsuit in Pennsylvania Settled for Over $1 Million

Mold Isn't Just In Old Buildings, Find Out if You're Safe Before It's Too Late.

Mold Isn’t Just In Old Buildings, Find Out if You’re Safe Before It’s Too Late.

Do you believe that interior mold and fungus is found only in old, dirty buildings? The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) recently settled the second lawsuit to arise as the result of a mold outbreak dating back to 2014.

A Disturbing Pattern

Shelby Slagle, a 27-year-old woman from Groveport, OH, had a heart transplant at UPMC, but died in June 2015. This past September, the hospital paid $1.35 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Slagle’s widower.

This judgment came shortly after another lawsuit that settled for the same amount in May 2016. The family of 47-year-old Tracy Fischer of Erie, PA, filed suit following Fischer’s death in October 2014 after developing a fungal infection.

During the period between 2014 and July 2016, three other UPMC transplant patients died as a result of mold infections. All five spent time in a “negative pressure”‘ room, prompting a federal investigation of these cases.

Could These Deaths Have Been Prevented?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), negative pressure rooms are intended to house patients who have a pre-existing infection. The ventilation system is designed to pull outside air into the room, reducing the possibility of infections spreading throughout the hospital but increasing the chance of infections in transplant patients who are taking drugs to suppress their immune systems.

Protect Your Family with Expert Mold Treatment from Stern Mold

When it comes to mold treatment, there is no wait-and-see period. Visit our website to learn more about our proprietary MoldExterm process that safely removes mold and leaves a barrier preventing future infestations.

 

What Do I Need to Know About Mold in the Workplace?

Mold in an Office Building is No Problem for Us

Mold in an Office Building is No Problem for Us

Mold in your home is a threat to your family’s health, but there are additional considerations when there’s an infestation in your office or business. Here is what the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has to say about the matter of mold in the workplace.

Detection and Prevention

• Any interior mold should always be removed, so testing is necessary only when visible growth can’t be confirmed.

Excess moisture opens the door to mold growth, so water leaks and spills should be treated thoroughly within 24 to 48 hours.

• Maintain a regular building inspection schedule, paying close attention to HVAC systems, kitchens and bathrooms.

Health Issues

• The connection between mold growth and illness is still being studied, so there are currently no specific federal guidelines regarding mold in the workplace.

• Allergic reactions such as sneezing and red, itchy eyes are the most common health effects of inhaling mold spores.

• Consult a healthcare professional to address any concerns your employees may have.

Remediation

• An effective remediation plan should include steps to remove excess moisture and other conditions encouraging mold growth.

• Personal protection equipment such as goggles and respirators should be used by all remediation workers.

• Eating and drinking on-site should be avoided during the remediation process.

• Depending on the scope of the project, employees may need to be relocated while remediation is taking place.

Professional Mold Removal Service in NYC and Northern NJ

Our eco-friendly, non-invasive MoldExterm system is an efficient and cost-effective treatment for mold in the workplace. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection by our experienced and professionally-trained technicians.

Did You Know That Your Landlord Does Not Have to Treat for Mold in NYC

Landlords Don't Have to Treat for Mold

Landlords Don’t Have to Treat for Mold

Landlords should always take mold seriously but, unfortunately, not all of them do. Mold can spread very quickly and cause serious health problems. People tend to think of mold as a problem that strikes in wet climates, but the truth is that mold can happen just about anywhere. A spill that isn’t cleaned up quickly, or a leak that is left unattended can both lead to a serious problem.

Is Mold A Landlord’s Responsibility in New York City?

You might be tempted to think of a mold problem as being your landlord’s responsibility, but if you live in New York City, you’ll be surprised to find out that it’s not. There are currently no federal laws that require landlords to act quickly or even at all if one of their properties has a mold problem. However, the city is in the process of making it much easier for tenants to report issues with mold. They are also giving tenants information about what they can do expedite the process of getting mold treatment when it is needed.

Recommendations for Tenants

If a tenant feels that mold treatment is needed, there are some steps that can be taken to encourage the landlord to take care of the problem. Tenants can do one of two things:

1. Withhold their rent money until the mold problem is taken care of.

2. Repair the mold problem and deduct the cost of the repairs from the amount of rent that is usually paid.

Both of these are acceptable. If you have a serious mold problem, know your NYC tenant rights for mold, and contact Stern Mold to get a quick resolution.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »