How Long Does My Landlord Have to Fix Mold?

One of the most unwelcome issues in any home or rental property is the appearance of mold. It’s a tough problem to combat since there’s no sure way to keep it from showing up. There can be many reasons why mold occurs, and some are difficult to prevent. 

There’s always a chance landlords or tenants will come across mold in a rental property. If you do find mold, it’ll need to be taken care of as quickly as possible, as it’s a health hazard to those living in the home. Here’s what to know about removing mold from a rental property and how long a landlord has to fix mold.

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Is a landlord responsible for mold in a rental?

Ultimately, since the landlord owns the home, they’re responsible for taking care of the mold. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to make sure the property is safe and habitable for tenants. That means mold shouldn’t threaten the health of those living there.

Since mold is uncontrollable and unpredictable, landlords should educate your tenants on mold and how to prevent it in the home. Let tenants know the places where mold is common, like under sinks, in the corners of bathrooms, and other humid areas. Encourage tenants to check for potential mold often. Be sure renters understand they should let landlords know as soon as possible if they find mold so the problem can be corrected before it gets worse.

How long does a landlord have to fix mold?

Once a tenant reports mold, landlords typically have 14 days to check it. Two weeks is common in most states, but always be sure to check your state’s regulations. If the problem is mold, the landlord has 30 days to take care of the problem.

When getting rid of mold in your rental, the solution isn’t to just remove the current pieces of mold from the home. Landlords will need to also fix the underlying cause of the mold. For example, there may be a leak that caused water to seep into the walls and floors and mold grew due to the moisture. In that case, landlords need to fix the walls and floors where the mold is present and fix the leak to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Checking for mold in a rental property

Before a tenant even moves in, landlords should thoroughly clean and check the property for any mold or signs of future mold issues. Common places where mold appears are underneath kitchen sinks and in bathrooms. Note other places that may have extra humidity and moisture in the rental, like the laundry room, closets, or basement corners, as these are often environments where mold grows unnoticed.

Landlords can also use an at-home mold testing kit if there’s something they think might be mold or they can call in a professional to check the home out.

How to remove mold from a rental property

Depending on the type of mold and how much of it there is, landlords have a few ways to get rid of mold. Cleaning with a bleach solution can get rid of basic surface-level mold, but make sure to clean it thoroughly.

However, if there’s a large quantity of mold, and it’s found inside walls or underneath the carpet, landlords likely need to call in a professional. Mold removal companies will ensure that they remove and properly dispose of all of the mold. They’ll know where and how to check for mold in all areas of the home.

If there’s any doubt about whether or not a rental property has mold, don’t hesitate to get a professional opinion. Spending a little bit of money for an expert to check for mold at the beginning can end up saving lots of money and hassle in the end, as it can avoid future problems that could be costly.

Key tips for preventing mold

It’s much harder to fix a mold problem than it is to prevent it from happening. Landlords and tenants can’t always control whether or not mold starts to grow in a rental since mold is unpredictable. However, there are things both parties can do to make it so the rental property doesn’t foster mold growth.

Airflow and ventilation

Make sure there’s good airflow and ventilation throughout the home, especially in places where mold is likely to grow. The bathrooms should have windows you can open to let out any additional moisture from bathing and showering, and a working exhaust fan in each bathroom.

If the rental property is in a humid location, like a home in Orlando or an apartment in Houston, landlords may want to consider installing a dehumidifier to extract the excess moisture from the air.

Check for leaks often

Leaky sinks can create an environment in which mold likes to grow. Check underneath sinks often to ensure there aren’t any leaks — even a small one can cause big mold problems. Tenants should report any leaks immediately, no matter how big or small the leak is, so maintenance can take care of it.

Educate yourself about mold

Learning about mold and how and where it can grow will help keep the rental mold-free. Tenants should reach out to their landlord as soon as they find mold or even if they think they’ve found signs of mold so it can be removed.

Be thorough and exercise caution

The best thing to do as tenants and landlords when it comes to mold is thoroughly preparing your property and exercise caution. You can’t control mold in a rental property, but you can take preventative measures and check often to keep any potential problems in check. If you’re careful, you’ll create a safe, healthy environment for your tenants, and you shouldn’t have any big mold issues on your rental property.