Tag Archives: mold law

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

New York City Council Announces New Legislation to Help Housing Authority Residents with Mold

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Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Until now, NYC public housing residents haven’t had effective recourse for Manhattan mold removal. Local officials are trying to change that with new legislation to help residents report cases of mold in their apartments.

Fighting Mold in Public Housing

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has been making headlines recently, and not the good kind. For more than a decade, residents of NYCHA housing have been battling mold-related issues. Much of the problem has been blamed on poor maintenance and failure to adequately repair water damage.

Last January, the NYCHA kicked off a $50 million project to clean and update ventilation systems in their 326 apartment complexes. In addition, the agency has earmarked another $156 million for pipe work to be completed over the next five years.

New York City Council Steps In

In late February, the New York City Council passed legislation in an effort to further assist public housing residents struggling with mold problems. NYC is now required to give tenants information about reporting complaints.

According to City Council member Ritchie Torres, the NYCHA has a dismal history of responding to tenant complaints about mold. The new call center is currently available to residents in more than two dozen developments, with plans to roll it out to all by July 2020.

Need Manhattan Mold Removal? Call Stern Mold

Stern Mold has been providing cost-effective, state-of-the-art Manhattan mold removal since 1995. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection for your home or business.

Posted in Mold Law, News

The Laws That Renters and Landlords Should Know About Mold In New Jersey

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New Laws Have Been Put in Place Concerning Mold

New Laws Have Been Put in Place Concerning Mold

The news is full of stories about homeowners battling mold, but what about renters? One couple’s story illustrates the difficult road for renters seeking Manhattan mold removal.

Mold in Apartments: Who’s Responsible?

Anthony Paredes, his girlfriend and their 17-month-old child moved into a New Jersey apartment in November 2019. Other than a powerful smell of fresh paint, they found nothing amiss.

As time went on, the couple noticed extreme dampness around the apartment. Green mold soon developed on the windows, then Paredes discovered a large mold spot on the wall behind his daughter’s bed.

The next couple of months were a nightmare as Paredes tried to get management to remove the mold, only to be told he and his family were at fault. The family eventually paid out-of-pocket for an independent mold inspector. He confirmed the presence of mold and pointed out structural damage that was the likely cause.

What Can Renters Do?

While building health risks such as asbestos and lead paint are covered by laws, no such protection exists yet for mold. Renters have the options of withholding rent or doing Manhattan mold removal themselves and deducting the costs. Unfortunately, either strategy could ultimately lead to eviction proceedings.

Manhattan Mold Removal for Any Situation

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord or business owner, we can handle your mold problem safely and effectively. Our proprietary MoldExterm program removes mold and keeps it from returning. Contact Stern Mold for a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Law, News

Untreated Workplace Mold? What to Know to Prevent a Lawsuit!

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Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers' Health

Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers’ Health

As an employer or landlord, you have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions for employees and tenants. Mold and mold-related illnesses have become the focus of an increasing number of lawsuits, making Manhattan mold removal imperative. What can you do to protect employees and tenants while reducing liability?

Preventing Mold in Commercial Buildings

Mold spores surround us constantly, both indoors and out. Problems arise with extended exposure to large concentrations of indoor mold growth.

• Stay vigilant for signs of mold. Infestations may not always be visible, so your first clue may be a persistent musty smell. You should also investigate if people begin complaining about chronic symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and fatigue.

• Removing visible mold isn’t enough. Identify and resolve the cause, whether it’s leaky pipes, poor construction or excess humidity.

• Keep employees or tenants informed about steps you’re taking to remediate mold. Failure to disclose can cause reduction in morale and productivity while reflecting negatively on you in any possible legal action.

• Mold isn’t always covered by insurance. Check your policy, and if mold isn’t included, ask about purchasing additional coverage.

• If you’re doing any construction or renovations, review contracts to ensure contractors and subcontractors are liable for any defects that may cause mold.

Safe and Effective Manhattan Mold Removal

Stern Mold provides eco-friendly, non-intrusive removal of infestations while treating the conditions that cause mold growth. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection by our professional Manhattan mold removal team.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Law, News

Got Toxic Mold? Do You Have Enough for a Lawsuit?

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Got Toxic Mold? Do You Have Enough for a Lawsuit?

Got Toxic Mold? Do You Have Enough for a Lawsuit?

Toxic mold lawsuits have been filed against builders and contractors, employers, government agencies and even automakers. Does your toxic mold problem rise to the level of legal action? Our New Jersey mold removal experts share important information about toxic mold litigation.

Making a Case

• Toxic mold litigation is a specialized field. Your first step should be consulting an attorney who is qualified in this area.

• Establishing the presence of toxic mold isn’t enough. There has to be evidence regarding the type of mold, location and cause of the infestation and whether or not spores were able to become airborne.

• Document every event and communication involving the mold problem, including conversations with a landlord and interaction with cleaning services.

Responsibility of Landlords

Landlord liability often hinges on the issue of notice.

• Constructive notice occurs when a “reasonable person” is in possession of facts that would lead to certain knowledge.

• Actual notice is when a landlord has direct knowledge of a situation through a tenant, repair person or their own investigation.

Damages

• Property damage can include cost of remediation, loss of personal property and reduction in real estate value, while personal damage arises from physical ailments such as bronchitis, memory loss or immune system disorders.

• Emotional distress, which involves the psychological effects of toxic mold exposure, is more difficult to determine.

Stern Mold: Your New Jersey Mold Removal Experts

Rely on the professional expertise of our trained technicians. Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection of your home or business.

Posted in Mold Law, Mold Treatment, News, NYC Mold Removal
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